This　paper　proposes　a　novel　retrieval　scheme　for　encrypted　JPEG　images.　With　this　scheme,　the　DC　and　AC　coefficients　of　JPEG　images　are　encrypted　using　a　stream　cipher　and　scrambling　encryption,　respectively.　Then,　the　encrypted　images　are　transmitted　to　and　stored　in　a　server,　which　can　also　provide　retrieval　service.　When　receiving　an　encrypted　query　image,　the　server　without　any　knowledge　of　the　plaintext　content　may　acquire　statistically　its　AC　coefficients　histogram.　By　calculating　the　distances　between　the　histograms　of　encrypted　query　image　and　database　image,　the　server　may　output　the　encrypted　images　closest　to　the　query　image　to　the　authorized　user.　©　2015,　Springer　Science+Business　Media　New　York.