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2 clusters · 24 sources · 12 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 3 days ago

Criminal investigations in Romania

Overview

Romanian authorities have launched investigations into several major criminal operations. DIICOT executed 60 search warrants across Neamț, Iași, and Suceava counties targeting two criminal groups of Romanian and Moldovan citizens accused of cigarette smuggling with international reach into Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

In a separate investigation, authorities are looking into a real estate fraud scheme in Bucharest and surrounding areas. More than 50 victims reportedly lost an estimated 16 million lei after being sold the same apartments multiple times through the Oxy Residence 2 project. Investigators are examining charges of serious fraud and money laundering involving shell companies.

New developments indicate the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is now investigating a suspected €7 million fraud involving IT procurement projects funded by EU mechanisms, such as the PNRR. The probe is examining whether public tenders were manipulated to favor specific providers through the use of identical or copied documentation.

Additionally, other criminal probes have emerged, including a tax evasion scheme in the Moldovan construction sector involving over 7 million lei, and the arrest of former university rector Dănuț Epure in Constanța in connection with a continuous pimping investigation involving the rental of properties for prostitution.

Entities

DIICOT · European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) · cosmetics industry · Laura Codruța Kövesi · Suceava

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Authorities executed 60 search warrants in Neamț, Iași, and Suceava counties. monitorulneamt.ro · newsweek.ro · www.radioiasi.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] Two organized crime groups, composed of Romanian and Moldovan citizens, were formed in Târgu Neamț. monitorulneamt.ro · newsweek.ro · www.radioiasi.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] The groups specialized in cigarette smuggling. monitorulneamt.ro · newsweek.ro · www.radioiasi.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] The criminal activity had a cross-border scope, including sales in Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. monitorulneamt.ro · newsweek.ro · www.radioiasi.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] The criminal activities began between 2024 and 2025. monitorulneamt.ro · newsweek.ro · www.radioiasi.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] Various quantities of cigarettes were seized during the investigation. monitorulneamt.ro · www.radioiasi.ro

Timeline

3 days ago

[CRIME] 24 sources
Romania and Moldova face multiple major criminal investigations
Authorities in Romania and Moldova are investigating multiple major crimes, including a €7 million EU fund fraud, a massive real estate scam in Bucharest, transnational cigarette smuggling, and tax evasion.
14 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Romania faces surge in counterfeit perfume harming consumers and market
Counterfeit perfumes in Romania cause consumer deception and economic losses, contributing to €3 billion EU cosmetics losses and a 7.9% sales drop in Romania.

Sources

7iasi.ro · adevarul.ro · aktual24.ro · bani.md · breakingnews.md · clickpentrufemei.ro · m.jurnalul.ro · miun.se · monitorulneamt.ro · news.yam.md · newsweek.ro · observatorulph.ro · radioconstanta.ro · radioiasi.ro · realitatea.net · realitateamedia.ro · replicahd.ro · stiripesurse.ro · telegraph.md · tvrmoldova.md · viitorulilfovean.ro · zch.ro · zdg.md · zugo.md

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history