EU Statement at the end of the 35th session of CCPCJ35 on the resolution sponsored by Japan, co-sponsored by the UK and the USA, on strengthening crime prevention and criminal[...]

EU Statement at the end of the 35th session of CCPCJ35 on the resolution sponsored by Japan, co-sponsored by the UK and the USA, on strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice responses to combat fraud, 5 June 2026

Mr Chair,

I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union and its Member States to make a general statement.

Let me begin by congratulating Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America on the adoption of the resolution entitled "Strengthening Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses to Prevent and Combat Fraud" by the Commission today.

I am pleased to announce that the European Union and its 27 Member States are co-sponsoring this resolution.

Combating fraud-including cyber-enabled and all forms of digital fraud-remains a priority for the European Union and its Member States.

The European Union has endorsed both the Call to Action on Combating Fraud and the Global Public-Private Partnership Framework Against Fraud, adopted at the Global Fraud Summit here in Vienna.

In this context, UNODC plays an important role in the prevention and combating of fraud as the leading UN entity in the fight against transnational organized crime in the UN system.

We have observed a significant expansion in the digital dimension of organised crime, with criminal networks exploiting online platforms and artificial intelligence to target potential victims-particularly young people-spread disinformation, coordinate illicit activities, transfer funds, and conceal profits.

The scale of this phenomenon is unprecedented. Online fraud and scams inflict not only financial harm but also profound personal suffering. Scam centres have become a disturbing global reality, demanding that we intensify our efforts, operational support, and international partnerships.

At the EU level, online fraud is now the fastest-growing segment of organised crime. According to the 2025 survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, nearly one in four people in the EU (24%) has fallen victim to online fraud. Yet only 15% report these crimes to the police, and fewer than half (44%) report them at all-meaning official statistics vastly underestimate the true extent of the problem.

Mr Chair,

No one is immune to digital fraud. Victims - regardless of gender, age, or background - suffer not only financial losses but also severe psychological harm, with tragic consequences.

The European Union is finalising a new Action Plan that adopts a whole-of-society approach. The Action Plan will put victims in the centre and will focus on recovery of funds by the victims, but also on supporting authorities in the challenges they face in prosecuting criminals.

The resolution adopted today provides concrete tools and measures to prevent and combat fraud, setting high standards for a comprehensive and wide cross-sectoral approach-one that includes victim assistance and the restitution of funds.

The resolution also recognises the relevance of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which the EU and 14 of its Member States have signed, as a critical instrument in preventing and combating fraud. The EU firmly believes that the new Convention will help us make meaningful progress, particularly in addressing digital fraud, child sexual abuse, and exploitation.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration and to strengthening our partnership with UNODC in implementing this resolution.