The European Anti-Fraud Office (commonly known as OLAF, from the French: Office européen de

lutte antifraude) is a body mandated by the European Union (EU) with protecting the Union's
financial interests. It was founded on 28 April 1999, under the European Commission Decision
[1]
1999/352. Its tasks are threefold:
● to fight fraud affecting the EU budget;
● investigate corruption by staff of EU institutions; and
● develop anti-fraud legislation and policies.
OLAF achieves its mission by conducting, in full independence, internal and external investigations.
It coordinates the activities of its anti-fraud partners in the Member States in the fight against fraud.
OLAF supplies EU member states with the necessary support and technical know-how to help them
in their anti-fraud activities. It contributes to the design of the anti-fraud strategy of the European
Union, and takes the necessary initiatives to strengthen the relevant legislation.
OLAF conducts administrative investigations. It has no judicial powers to oblige national law
enforcement authorities to act on its follow-up recommendations.