The European Union and its 27 Member States have co-sponsored a UN resolution on strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice responses to combat fraud, adopted at the 35th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna. In a statement on 5 June 2026, the EU delegation warned that online fraud is now the fastest-growing segment of organised crime in the bloc, with nearly one in four EU citizens (24%) having fallen victim, according to a 2025 survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights. The resolution, sponsored by Japan and co-sponsored by the UK and the USA, sets out concrete tools for a cross-sectoral approach including victim assistance and fund restitution.
The EU statement highlighted the unprecedented scale of digital fraud, with criminal networks exploiting online platforms and artificial intelligence to target victims, particularly young people. It noted that only 15% of victims report fraud to police, and fewer than half report it at all, meaning official statistics vastly underestimate the problem. The EU endorsed both the Call to Action on Combating Fraud and the Global Public-Private Partnership Framework Against Fraud, adopted at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna.
The resolution recognises the relevance of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which the EU and 14 of its Member States have signed, as a critical instrument to address digital fraud, child sexual abuse, and exploitation. The EU is finalising a new Action Plan adopting a whole-of-society approach, putting victims at the centre and focusing on fund recovery and supporting authorities in prosecuting criminals.
The resolution and EU action plan will require national authorities to strengthen law enforcement and judicial cooperation, potentially increasing administrative burdens. EU citizens stand to benefit from improved victim support and fund recovery mechanisms. Tech companies and online platforms may face new compliance obligations to prevent fraud. Organised crime groups will face enhanced international cooperation and prosecution risks. The EU's partnership with UNODC is expected to deepen, with the agency playing a leading role in implementation.