As part of two ongoing investigations into a suspected €15 million fraud, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania), 38 house searches were carried out on 7 November 2023.
The searches were conducted in several locations in Romania, including Bucharest, Ploiești, Cluj and Ialomița County. Investigative measures were also carried out in Cyprus, Czechia and Malta, as well as in Monaco and the United States, through international cooperation.
At issue are six IT projects financed by the EU, for the development of innovative software solutions.
According to the investigation, between 2019 and 2022, the beneficiaries of the projects submitted false or inaccurate documents with overvalued services or services that were never provided, as well as fraudulent invoices for the purchase of goods – thus unduly obtaining funds from the EU budget of at least €15 million.
The beneficiaries are suspected of having subsequently created fraudulent domestic and international financial circuits, in order to channel the funds for their own benefit.
Some of the people under investigation have been brought to the EPPO’s office in Bucharest to be informed of their status as suspects, and others will be brought in during the coming days.
The facts under investigation could constitute offences of fraud and money laundering.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) opened complementary investigations into the same facts.
