gr.euronews.com
EPPO Investigates Record Number of EU Financial Crimes, €24.8 Billion Estimated Loss
In 2024, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) investigated 2,666 financial crimes, resulting in an estimated €24.8 billion loss to the EU budget; most cases involved VAT fraud, with Germany and Italy particularly affected; the EPPO received 6,547 crime reports, with over 70% from private citizens.
- What are the most common methods used in financial crimes targeting EU funds, and which countries are most affected?
- The significant rise in financial crimes investigated by the EPPO highlights a concerning trend of increased criminal activity targeting EU funds. Over half (€13.15 billion) of the estimated losses stemmed from cross-border VAT fraud, with Germany and Italy reporting the highest number of active investigations (179 and 149 respectively).
- What is the overall impact of the increase in financial crimes investigated by the EPPO on the EU budget and its financial stability?
- In 2024, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) investigated 2,666 financial crimes, a 38% increase from the previous year. The estimated damage to the EU budget exceeded €24.8 billion, a 22.5% rise from 2023, according to the EPPO's annual report. This involved various crimes impacting EU finances, including fraud, money laundering, and corruption.
- What measures can be implemented to improve the detection and reporting of financial crimes, particularly involving EU funds and the NextGenerationEU recovery package?
- The EPPO's increased caseload, particularly concerning VAT fraud and the NextGenerationEU recovery package, indicates a need for stronger preventative measures and cross-border cooperation. The success of operations like "Moby Dick" suggests that proactive investigations can disrupt organized crime networks, but further improvements in reporting mechanisms, especially from EU institutions, are crucial.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the EPPO's work in a positive light, highlighting its successes in uncovering and prosecuting financial crimes. While it mentions challenges like the lack of reporting from EU institutions, the overall tone emphasizes the EPPO's effectiveness. The headline (if any) would likely reinforce this framing.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and factual. Terms like "very dangerous criminals" could be considered slightly loaded, but are arguably justified by the nature of the crimes being discussed. More neutral alternatives could include 'serious criminals' or 'high-level criminals'.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the EPPO's activities and findings, but omits information on the overall effectiveness of the EU's anti-fraud measures beyond the EPPO's actions. It also doesn't discuss potential criticisms of the EPPO's methods or any challenges faced in its investigations. This omission might limit readers' understanding of the broader context of financial crime in the EU.
Sustainable Development Goals
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is actively investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, aiming to recover funds lost due to fraud and corruption. This contributes to reducing inequality by ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and effectively, preventing the concentration of wealth in the hands of criminals and ensuring fairer distribution of resources. The investigation into VAT fraud, a significant source of revenue loss for the EU, directly addresses the issue of equitable resource allocation.