Romania dismantles major citizenship forgery network

The Romanian General Prosecutor's Office has dismantled a large-scale criminal network involved in fabricating Romanian citizenship for foreign nationals. The scheme, which operated for at least 11 months, reportedly processed over 900 citizenship applications.

According to investigators, the network was led by a woman known as ‘Marina’ and an accomplice known as ‘Dima’. The group targeted individuals from the former Soviet space, using forged documents—such as birth, marriage, and death certificates—created in Ukraine to falsely prove Romanian ancestry. One notable case involved a Tunisian citizen for whom the group fabricated records claiming ancestors were born in the Odessa region between the two World Wars.

The investigation revealed direct complicity from employees within the National Authority for Citizenship. An advisor, identified by the initials S.V., allegedly accepted incomplete or falsified dossiers in exchange for bribes ranging from 300 to 500 euros.

Fees for the illegal services varied significantly: 100 euros for preliminary checks, 500 euros for filing, and 150 euros for scheduling oaths. A completely fabricated dossier cost approximately 5,000 euros, while the most expensive service—costing up to 15,000 euros—guaranteed an expedited process through influence over the institution's leadership. Authorities used undercover operations, including an undercover investigator and a simulated applicant from Tunisia, to intercept a suspect receiving a 7,500 euro payment in Bucharest.