**Cyprus Showcases Anti-Fraud Measures at EU Workshop**
Limassol, Cyprus – Nearly 100 experts from across Europe convened in Limassol from June 22 to June 24, 2026, for the 2nd Technical Workshop on Digital Anti-Fraud Tools. The event, organized under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and supported by the Treasury of the Republic, aimed to enhance the protection of European Union funds through the promotion of digital technologies and innovative anti-fraud methodologies.
Participants included representatives from various EU member states, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Europol, Eurojust, the European Court of Auditors, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The workshop served as a platform to present the initial outcomes of the Digital Anti-Fraud Toolbox initiative, which was launched in May 2025. This initiative focuses on developing practical tools and methodologies designed to facilitate the early detection of fraud, improve investigative effectiveness, and safeguard the financial interests of the EU.
In his opening remarks, Andreas Antoniades, the Treasury director-general and chairman of AFCOS Cyprus, emphasized the critical role of digitalization in enhancing fraud controls. “The digitalization of controls is an important tool for the timely and effective protection of public and European resources,” he stated. Antoniades underscored the necessity of leveraging technology for the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud cases.
OLAF Director-General Petr Klement echoed these sentiments, highlighting the collaborative effort to develop digital tools as a testament to the commitment of European institutions and the Cypriot Presidency to bolster the protection of EU financial interests amid an increasingly complex digital landscape. “This joint effort demonstrates our determination to strengthen the protection of the European Union’s financial interests,” Klement remarked.
The workshop also featured discussions on the use of artificial intelligence to identify suspicious patterns, advanced analytical methods for early fraud detection, and the integration of data from both national and European sources to facilitate more efficient cross-border investigations.
Cyprus took the opportunity to present its strategies for enhancing controls related to potential conflicts of interest and instances of double funding. The country is utilizing a combination of European and national tools and databases, including the ARACHNE system, the Population Registry, the Register of Beneficial Owners, and data from the Government Information Warehouse.
A significant development during the workshop was the signing of a bilateral administrative agreement between OLAF and the Department of Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property. This agreement is designed to streamline OLAF’s access to national corporate data and beneficial ownership information, thereby enhancing transparency and supporting investigations into potential fraud involving EU funds.
The Treasury of the Republic noted that the timing of the workshop coincided with Cyprus’s recent advancements in its national anti-fraud framework. These improvements have been realized through the enactment of specific legislation governing AFCOS and the implementation of the country’s inaugural National Anti-Fraud Strategy, which aims to protect the financial interests of the European Union.
As Europe continues to navigate the challenges posed by digital transformation, the collaborative efforts showcased at the workshop underscore a collective commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring the integrity of EU funding. The discussions and agreements reached in Limassol are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of anti-fraud measures across the continent.