The European Commission published a press release on the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture (AFA), that is not limited to the financial interests of the EU.
The European Anti-Fraud Architecture includes the new EU Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA).
The Commission will amongst others:
focus on questions related to a better collection and use of information, data sharing, strengthened access to data, the use of modern technologies (including AI), in detecting and investigating fraud, and better synergies in the use of investigative means, both criminal and administrative. It will also explore how to ensure better cooperation between different bodies, as well as an optimal use of resources and avoid duplication.
More information on data sharing is found in the accompanying white paper [1], e.g. paragraph 3.2:
Taking into account the growing volume of data, any mechanism that would facilitate information exchange, based on consistent and harmonised data, could be helpful. If feasible, such exchange could be done in real time and on an interoperable basis, in compliance with data protection rules, to improve the effectiveness of information sharing and to facilitate timely and coordinated action by all the relevant actors.
The European data mining and risk-scoring tool Arachne+ is also mentioned [2]. It is the intention that Europol will have a central role in the new data landscape of the EU [3]:
Without pre-empting the results of the ongoing evaluation, an increased role for Europol as potentially the key EU player for data analysis and forensic acquisition could be considered in the AFA review and in the context of the update of Europol’s mandate, announced in ProtectEU – the European Internal Security Strategy [38]. Furthermore, close cooperation and information exchange between the AFA actors could also allow follow up on leads for other serious crimes, that may emerge in fraud investigations.
[38] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 1 April 2025, ‘ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy’, COM (2025)148.
Notes:
[1] EUR-Lex page.
[2] See pagina 6: “In addition, the 2024 Financial Regulation (…) has introduced several innovations (…) They include: (…)
* the compulsory feeding of the single data mining and risk-scoring tool (Arachne+) for audit and control purposes as from 1 January 2028. Data collected by all Member States’ authorities as regards all funds will be included in a single EU-wide tool. This will enhance control and audit functions across the EU and assist national authorities and AFA actors in the prevention, detection, correction and follow-up of fraud, corruption and irregularities, including conflicts of interest and double-funding. The use of Arachne+ by managing authorities will remain voluntary, but the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have agreed to re-examine the compulsory use of Arachne+ based on an assessment of the readiness of the tool to be delivered by the Commission in 2027.“.
Earlier article on Arachne on this site: ARACHNE and risk scoring in the EU, June 2020.
[3] Paragraph 3.3, page 11
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