About the European Funds Recovery Initiative (EFRI)
The European Funds Recovery Initiative (EFRI) is a non-profit organization fighting online fraud and financial crime in Europe. We expose scammers and the banks, payment providers, and other enablers that make these crimes possible. By uniting victims, we demand refunds, file complaints, and put pressure on regulators and law enforcement to act.
Founded in 2017 with a landmark money-laundering complaint against German scammer Uwe Lenhoff, EFRI has since represented hundreds of victims across Europe. Our mission is clear: empower victims, hold financial institutions accountable, and stop the spread of cybercrime that threatens European consumers and society. To learn more about our history and mission, please read our interviews: (Part I) and (Part II).
The Austrian non-profit organization “Initiative for Fighting Cybercrime in Europe – EFRI” (Initiative zur Bekämpfung von Cyberkriminalität an Konsumenten und Kleinanlegern in Europa – EFRI) was established in Vienna on May 25, 2020.
We are registered with the Austrian Vereinsregister (ZVR 1493630560) and have been approved by the Austrian authorities as a qualified entity in accordance with Section 1(1) of the Austrian QEG. Additionally, we are registered in the EU registry for qualified entities.
EFRI is funded by a one-time membership fee of €75.
EFRI assists individual victims with out-of-court refund claims. In these cases, no legal action is planned under Section 5(3) Z 2 of the Austrian QEG (Qualified Entities Act). The matter remains limited to the individual claim. For such proceedings, the fee is capped at 10% of the compensation obtained through EFRI’s assistance.
When legal action is initiated under Section 5(3) Z 2 of the Austrian QEG, EFRI may collaborate with litigation funders. Specific arrangements must then be made, but these will always comply with Section 6(3) QEG to ensure that the victims’ interests are fully protected. Each victim will be informed and must give consent to the procedure. For participation in collective legal actions, an additional admission fee may be charged in accordance with Section 9 QEG.
Structure 2024: Of total income, only 0.002% came from membership fees in 2024, while the remainder was generated through success fees. This marks a drastic shift compared to previous years, when membership fees accounted for up to 75% (2022: 83%) of income, and success fees from out-of-court settlements represented only a small share.
For more information, please read our 2024 activity report.
In September 2024, EFRI was granted donation privileges under Section 4a(4) of the Austrian Income Tax Act 1988 by the Federal Ministry of Finance. This status allows us to receive corporate donations (up to the legally permitted limit) in support of our activities.
Additionally, EFRI plans to apply for both national and international grants.
IMPRESSUM
Initiative zur Bekämpfung von Cyberkriminalität an Konsumenten und Kleinanlegern in Europa
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone No: 00436644251363
Executive Board Members: Elfriede Sixt, Nigel Kimberley
Executive Advisory Board (EAB) consists of three to five people. At least three EAB members are fraud victims.
Members update on March 27, 2025: 1.685
Please note: “By agreeing to join a legal action pursuant to Section 5 (2), (3) of the Austrian QEG (Qualifizierte-Einrichtungen-Gesetz) initiated by EFRI, victims delegate their decision-making authority to EFRI’s boards. The boards will have the final say on all actions and decisions related to the legal proceedings.
Members whose actions harm the association will be expelled. Additionally, EFRI reserves the right to take all necessary recovery measures and may publish the names of such individuals in the interest of protecting other members.
The Articles of the Association (in english) of the not-for-profit organization are downloadable here.