Maltese highly worried about corruption - survey

The Maltese believe that corruption is the most threatening form of financial crime, according to a survey published by the European Commission.

Asked to list their top concerns about fraud, 86 per cent of the Maltese mentioned corruption, 77 per cent indicated circulation of counterfeit currency, 69 per cent mentioned defrauding the state - including through income tax and VAT evasion - and 66 per cent cited commercial fraud.

Other types of fraud that worry the Maltese include pirated software, counterfeit goods and smuggling.

The majority of the Maltese, 67 per cent, feel they are "fairly badly" informed by the media on fraud related crimes, according to the survey.

Twenty-eight per cent believe that EU budget fraud is very rare, although 76 per cent believe that fighting it should be a priority in Malta.

The survey analyses public awareness of fraud in general and fraud against the EU and its budget in the 15 member states and 13 accession and candidate countries.

The results show that respondents are particularly concerned about corruption (a 55 per cent average in the EU-15 and 69 per cent average in the acceding countries) as well as about fraud relating to quality of food and agricultural products and commercial fraud.

Citizens are more preoccupied by wrongdoing in national/local governments and institutions than about wrongdoing in EU institutions.

In contrast to Malta's result, more than half the overall respondents disagree with the statement that fraud against the EU and its budget happens very rarely. There is a very wide consensus that this fraud is harmful both for the vast majority of citizens who are honest and for the national economy.

EU citizens trust the police to fight fraud while citizens from accession and candidate countries look more to the EU itself.

Both groups agree that fighting fraud should be a political priority and the EU has a role to play. However, a majority of citizens feel fairly badly informed about the fight against fraud targeted at the EU and its budget.

"These results highlight the European citizen's wish for more coordination in the fight against fraud at European level and more cooperation between all parties involved," said Michaele Schreyer, the EU's commissioner for budget and the fight against fraud.

"It shows that we are right to emphasise the fight against fraud at EU level, to boost coordination with member states and European partners and to raise awareness on joint efforts. For this purpose OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, is our most important tool.

"Citizens need to be better informed about actions taken to tackle EU fraud and the successes in the fight against such fraud."