OLAF and Cyprus authorities hosted the 2nd Technical Workshop on Digital Anti-Fraud Tools in Lemesos from June 22-24, 2026, to enhance cooperation and develop practical digital solutions for EU funds protection.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Cyprus Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) hosted the 2nd Technical Workshop on Digital Anti-Fraud Tools in Lemesos, Cyprus, from June 22 to 24, 2026. The event gathered nearly 100 anti-fraud specialists from EU member states, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Europol, Eurojust, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), and OLAF. The workshop was supported by the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus.
Organized under the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council, the workshop marked a milestone in the digital transformation of anti-fraud cooperation in Europe. It focused on reviewing deliverables from expert project groups established under the Digital Anti-Fraud Toolbox initiative launched in May 2025. Participants discussed tools and methodologies to detect fraud earlier, investigate cases more effectively, and protect EU financial interests.
Topics included the use of Artificial Intelligence for identifying suspicious patterns, advanced analytical methods for early detection, and integration of data from national and EU sources for cross-border investigations. The event also highlighted Cyprus’ efforts to strengthen controls related to conflicts of interest and double funding, using tools such as ARACHNE, the civil registry, the Beneficial Ownership Register, and the Government Data Warehouse.
OLAF Director-General Mr. Petr Klement emphasized the importance of digital resilience and cooperation in combating evolving fraud threats. Cyprus’ efforts include the recent adoption of its first National Anti-Fraud Strategy and legislation, supported by an Action Plan for operational results. On the sidelines, OLAF and the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property signed an agreement to facilitate OLAF’s access to national company data, enhancing transparency and investigation capacity.
Additionally, OLAF provided a training session on June 22, 2026, for Cypriot authorities, covering open-source intelligence (OSINT), AI tools, and satellite imagery in fraud investigations.
