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(Luxembourg, 18 July 2024) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) initiated a criminal action last week against one individual, accused of illegally obtaining almost €2 million from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The investigation indicates that the suspect fraudulently obtained non-refundable financing in 2017 and 2019 for two projects, which were aimed at building greenhouses for strawberries and lettuce in the municipality of Bălanu, Giurgiu County (Romania). During home searches carried out on 10 July 2024, authorities discovered 60 falsified documents, including bank account statements, payment orders, and tax invoices. It is understood that these documents had been submitted to Romania’s Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR) to support claims for expenses ostensibly incurred under the projects.
It is alleged that, by presenting and using these falsified documents as evidence of non-existent expenses, the suspect caused damage to the EU’s budget of almost €2 million (RON 9 million).
In order to recover the allegedly defrauded funds, the authorities have seized two agricultural buildings, the associated land, bank accounts, and a luxury car belonging to the defendant.
The suspect, who managed a legal entity also implicated in the fraud, has been placed under judicial control by the competent judge.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.