Beware of hoax emails, letters and scam phone calls claiming to be from OLAF

At a glance

Fraudsters use the name and logo of the European Commission/OLAF and sometimes the identity of officials to look credible. They promise money transfers only if you pay a “fee” and provide personal/financial data. They often re-contact people who were already scammed, quoting the exact amount lost: this is another scam.

What it means for citizens

• If you receive requests that appear to come from OLAF or its staff, it’s a scam.
• OLAF does not offer or request money transfers to/from citizens and does not recover amounts lost in past scams.
• OLAF investigates fraud affecting the EU budget and suspected misconduct by EU staff; not personal finances or cryptocurrencies.

What to do now

• Do not reply, do not click links and do not open attachments.
• Do not share personal or banking data; do not pay any fees.
• Keep evidence: screenshots, full links/URLs, sender email or caller number.
• Report the fraud/phishing attempt to your national competent authorities for crime and/or cybercrime.
• If you already paid or shared data: contact your bank and file a police report.

Red flags to recognise fakes

• Suspicious bank accounts, inaccurate logos, wrong email addresses or fake websites.
• Genuine Commission/OLAF emails end with @ec.europa.eu.
• Official OLAF website: https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/index_en (always check the exact URL).

Remember: OLAF investigators do not call or email citizens to ask for or offer money.

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Source (OLAF – European Anti-Fraud Office): https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/index_en