The Future of the Anti-fraud Architecture Explained

The Department of Law of the University of Luxembourg invites you to a conference on emerging challenges in the EU anti-fraud enforcement

Abstract

This 2-day conference takes place at a pivotal moment, as the EU’s anti-fraud framework undergoes significant redefinition and recalibration. Two main forces drive this transformation: institutional change, including an evolving enforcement architecture, new competencies for OLAF, the growing role of the EPPO, and the arrival of new actors such as the Anti-Money Laundering Authority; and technological advancement, from the collection and analysis of electronic evidence to the application of AI in fraud investigations. The conference’s primary goal is to examine in depth this rapidly shifting landscape of fraud investigation, bringing together legal professionals, policymakers, and academics, and featuring contributions from both leading practitioners and prominent researchers in the field.

Language

English.

This is a free conference. Registration is mandatory.

Programme

Thursday, 20 November 2025

09.30 – 09.45
Welcome address and introduction to the conference
- Katalin Ligeti, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, University of Luxembourg
- Frank Michlik, Head of Unit Legislation and Policy, OLAF
- Stanisław Tosza, Associate Professor in Compliance and Law Enforcement, University of Luxembourg
09.45 – 10.15

Keynote address

Laura Codruța Kövesi, EPPO, European Chief Public Prosecutor tbc
10.15 – 11.00
Gathering electronic evidence from online services providers in administrative punitive proceedings – presentation of the comparative study and policy recommendations

Discussants:
- Stanisław Tosza, Associate Professor in Compliance and Law Enforcement, University of Luxembourg
- Salomé Lannier, Postdoctoral researcher / MSCA Fellow, University of Luxembourg
11.00 – 11.15

Coffee break
11.15 – 12.30
Panel 1: Gathering electronic evidence from online services providers in administrative punitive proceedings – solution of the national legal system

Chair: Niovi Vavoula, Associate professor and Chair in Cyber Policy, University of Luxembourg

Discussants:
- Dominik Brodowski, Professor for Europeanization, Internationalization and Digital Transformation of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, Saarland University, “Germany”
- Juhana Riekkinen, University Lecturer, University of Lapland, “Finland”
- Giulia Lasagni, Senior Assistant Professor, University of Bologna, “Italy”
- Aart de Vries, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University, “The Netherlands”
12.30 – 13.30

Lunch break
13.30 – 15.00
Panel 2: The anti-fraud landscape in transition

Chair: Gert Vermeulen, Professor of (International & European) Criminal Law, Ghent University

Discussants:
- “OLAF: an office in transition – practical perspective”, representative of OLAF
- Luca De Matteis, Head of the Legal Service, EPPO, “EPPO: current legal challenges and future perspectives”
- Karolina Kremens, Professor and Director of Digital Justice Centre, University of Wrocław, “Between Reform and Resistance: The Challenges of the EPPO in Poland”
- Katalin Ligeti, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, University of Luxembourg, “Between national procedural law and Union oversight: the emerging jurisprudence of national courts on the EPPO procedural acts”
15.00 – 15.15

Coffee break
15.15 – 16.45
Panel 3: The anti-fraud landscape in transition (continued)

Chair: Katalin Ligeti, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, University of Luxembourg

Discussants:
- Georgia Theodorakakou, Doctoral researcher, University of Luxembourg, “Has the EPPO tilted the scale of justice? A critical look at the changing roles of prosecutors and judges and its impact on procedural guarantees”
- Zlata Đurđević, Professor, Zagreb University, “Sovereignty or Impunity: Jurisdictional Conflict between European and National Prosecution in Prosecuting the Political Elite”
- Katia Villard, Professor, University of Geneva, “A supranational anti-money laundering authority: perspectives and challenges”
- Vanessa Franssen, Professor, University of Liège, “The establishment of the EU Customs Authority: Softly but effectively stepping up the fight against customs fraud?”
16.45 – 17.45
Panel 4: Roundtable: The present and the future of the Anti-Fraud Landscape

Chair: John Vervaele, Professor in European Criminal Law, College of Europe, Bruges, and Emeritus Professor, Utrecht University

Discussants:
- Valsamis Mitsilegas, Professor and Dean of the School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool
- Michiel Luchtman, Professor, Utrecht University
- Juliette Tricot, Associate Professor, University Paris Nanterre, tbc
19.30

Gala Dinner

Friday, 21 November 2025

09.00 – 09.45

Keynote address

Salla Saastamoinen, OLAF Deputy Director General
09.45 – 11.15
Panel 5: Fraud in transition: responding to old and new forms of criminality

Chair:

Discussants:
- Maxime Lassalle, Associate Professor, University of Burgundy, “The EU anti-fraud architecture and the 6th AML package”
- Denise Boriero, Doctoral researcher, University of Milan and Collaborator, Centre of Security and Crime Sciences, University of Trento and University of Verona & Beatrice Panattoni, Post-doctoral researcher, University of Luxembourg, “From Paper Trails to Data Flows: Comparative Insights from a EU CYBER-VAT Study”
- Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Professor, LUISS University, “Mitigating the EU Funds Curse: Smart Anticorruption for the 21^st Century”
- Nicola Ruccia, Associate Professor, University of Sannio, “The balance of powers in the anti-fraud measures regarding the Recovery and Resilience Regulation”
11.15 – 11.30

Coffee break
11.30 – 13.00
Panel 6: Enforcement challenges in the anti-fraud procedures

Chair:

Discussants:
- Serena Quatrocollo, Professor, University of Turin, “Preventing and Investigating: new digital and legislative tools to fight PIF crimes”
- Sławomir Steinborn, Professor of Criminal Procedure, University of Gdańsk, President of the Court of Appeal of Gdańsk, “Can European Delegated Prosecutor take part in court proceedings via videoconference? Remote participation in cross-border criminal proceedings regarding PIF cases”
- Vincenzo Mongillo, Professor, University of Rome “Unitelma Sapienza”, “Confiscation for the Protection of EU Financial Interests: Lessons from the Italian Experience in the Light of EU Law and ECtHR Case Law”
- Elżbieta Hryniewicz-Lach, Professor, Adam-Mickiewicz-University, “Protecting the EU’s financial interests through asset confiscation”
13.00 – 13.15

Closing of the conference

Stanisław Tosza, Associate Professor in Compliance and Law Enforcement, University of Luxembourg

In partnership with

_{Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission Directorate-General for European Anti-Fraud Office. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.}