(Luxembourg, 26 November 2024) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) has filed an indictment in the Sofia District Court against the manager of a Bulgarian company, for attempted fraud involving a €1.92 million project to support entrepreneurs in Africa, financed by the EU.
The defendant is accused of submitting false information, in order to receive funds for a project financed by the European Development Fund (EDP), aimed at supporting actions in developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific countries and overseas countries and territories.
The case was reported to the EPPO by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The facts date back to 2021, when the Ministry of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration of the Republic of Congo launched a call for tenders to purchase equipment destined to support and train entrepreneurs in the corn, agrifood, timber and processing sectors, with the financial support of the Delegation of the European Union to the country. The successful company would provide tractors, ploughshares, seed drills, watering devices, composting systems, egg incubators, corn dehusking machines and other utensils listed in the call. According to the requirements of the public tender, the equipment had to originate from a Member State or a territory authorised by the programme.
In order to comply with the project’s demands, the defendant submitted a tender declaring that most of the equipment originated from Bulgaria. However, according to the investigation, this was not true. An inspection showed that some of the items originated from China, and in some cases the manufacturers did not exist. The offer of the Bulgarian company was rejected after the irregularities were detected.
If found guilty, the defendant may face between one and six years in prison and a fine between €1000 and €5000 (BGN 2000 and 10 000).
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Bulgarian courts.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union, responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the EU’s financial interests.