In an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania), several searches were carried out in Romania and Spain, as part of an investigation into a €10 million procurement fraud involving EU funds for the modernisation of water infrastructure and the improvement of energy efficiency.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Rome (Italy), seven individuals were arrested today in Italy, on suspicion of orchestrating an €18 million VAT fraud involving the trade of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Rome and Foggia also executed a freezing order, at the EPPO’s request, targeting bank accounts, real estate and other assets.

On 4 March 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain) initiated an investigation into possible irregularities affecting public contracts awarded by the health authorities of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands to a single company, for the purchase of medical equipment, including protective masks, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Given that Spain’s Central Court of Investigation No.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) carried out nine searches last week in Buzău County, including in the premises of the municipal authority of Beceni, in an investigation into possible fraud and corruption involving a former mayor.

An investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium), code-named ‘Kingdom’, has led to the arrest of seven suspects in the Netherlands, in a probe into a €13 million VAT fraud.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), a freezing order of over €15 million, issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Palermo, was executed today against seven individuals and five companies, suspected of fraud involving EU funds, self-money laundering and tax evasion. 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) have executed a freezing order against two farmers suspected of fraud involving agricultural funds, with an estimated damage of €650 000.

Under the supervision of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius (Lithuania), Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba – FNTT) is investigating possible fraud and forgery in the procurement of night-vision devices for the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, aimed at better protecting the EU’s external border with Belarus. Suspicions have been brought against four individuals and two companies.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), a freezing order of over €442 000, issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Catania, was executed today against three individuals associated with an agricultural business operating in the province of Catania, suspected of fraud involving EU agricultural funds.

On 14 October 2022, while receiving an exceptionally high number of reports and complaints, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) confirmed that it was investigating the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines in the European Union. No further details can be made public about this ongoing investigation, in order not to endanger its outcome.