EPPO indicts five for 1.8 million euro EU fund fraud in Romania

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest has indicted five individuals for allegedly forming a criminal group to defraud EU-funded programs in Dolj County, Romania. The group operated between 2017 and 2022, targeting rural communities in the Oltenia region.

According to the indictment, two leaders identified EU-funded programs and convinced rural local authorities to apply for funding. They prepared the necessary documentation and procurement procedures, while three other members used various companies to participate in tenders. These members allegedly submitted false documents to meet eligibility criteria and secure contracts.

The fraud targeted seven programs under the Operational Program Human Capital, specifically focusing on social inclusion and poverty reduction. These initiatives were intended to provide food for people living in poverty and to organize training workshops for marginalized rural communities. The prosecution alleges that 22 procurement procedures were compromised, resulting in an estimated loss of 1.8 million euros (approximately 9.5 million lei). Assets totaling the amount of the damage have already been seized by prosecutors.