On 21 May 2026, from 13:30 to 16:00 CEST, BEREC will hold an online workshop on combating fraud in electronic communications. Building on ongoing collaboration with key partners from around the globe, the event will be a unique opportunity for dialogue between BEREC members, relevant national authorities, electronic communication providers, equipment vendors, and key European institutions, including the European Commission and Europol.

Agenda at a glance

The workshop will open with a session that will set out the digital fraud challenges in their wider international context. The panel discussion will focus on global regulatory best practices and examine fraud-prevention strategies and regulatory frameworks across five key markets: the United States, India, Colombia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. By drawing on their varied regulatory experiences, participants will be able to assess which approaches have proven most effective — and where the gaps remain. In the second panel session, the focus shifts to the private sector. Equipment providers and telecom operators will be present to share and discuss their latest anti-fraud technologies and approaches.

The full agenda will be published shortly. Registration is open until 20 May 2026.

Next steps

The insights gathered in the workshop will feed directly into BEREC's forthcoming analytical work. Following the event, BEREC will draft a summary report to be published by the end of 2026, capturing the key findings and recommendations emerging from both panel sessions. Looking ahead, the workshop findings are also expected to contribute to the preparation of a follow-up document. The current title of this document is envisaged as Best Practices on Combating Fraud and will be drafted in 2027 in cooperation with ENISA, Europol, and partners from both the public and private sectors.

Why is the topic important?

Security in the digital space is becoming increasingly critical, as online fraud continues to rise. Smishing and vishing attacks are becoming more prevalent, with malicious actors impersonating trusted entities to steal sensitive data, including two-factor authentication codes. While smishing is a highly visible threat, it is part of a broader and rapidly evolving fraud landscape. Attackers continuously adapt their methods, exploiting both technological vulnerabilities and human behaviour. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action by stakeholders across all sectors both public and private.