Towards a more proactive, intelligence-led approach to detecting and preventing fraud affecting the financial interests of the EU

ended

The overall objective of the OLAF Anti-Fraud Strategy is to improve the prevention and detection of fraud, as well as the conditions for its investigation, while achieving an adequate level of reparation and deterrence. For the past 15 years, ERA has organised various events, “Annual Fora”, co-financed under the Hercule Programmes. During these years, ERA has witnessed how technology has changed the face of fraud. Private entities, Member States and ultimately the EU as such, face an ever increasing range of challenges within the financial crime arena. As a result, there is an increasing focus on making greater use of intelligence and methods that enable preventing fraud rather than just responding to it. Intelligence-led policing is a more modern law enforcement model aimed at facilitating the prevention, reduction and disruption of fraud through pro-active and forward-looking intervention. Information analysis and assessments results can be used as a basis for evidence-based planning, decision-making and resource allocation. The present project consists of a seminar which will scrutinise how the use of intelligence can lead to preventive actions, improve detection and make investigations more efficient and effective in combating fraud affecting the EU financial interests. The overall aim of this event is to exchange ideas on preventing fraud affecting the EU financial interests from a practical perspective. A key feature of the event is to bring together a wide range of experts: FIU representatives, private sector experts, judges, prosecutors, national experts and academics. Key topics: • Role and powers of OLAF in fighting frauds • An intelligence-led approach in preventing frauds: experiences in Member States • Role and powers of the FIUs: pro-active planning and decision-making • Intelligence-led policing in the private sector • How a more proactive, intelligence-led approach to detecting and preventing fraud can assist the work of OLAF and the EPPO