The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest is leading an investigation into suspected procurement and subsidy fraud involving non-repayable EU funding to support small farms and young farmers.
According to an EPPO press release, searches were carried out in Dambovita County on May 13, 2026 and one suspect was arrested, agerpres reports.
The investigation concerns hundreds of projects submitted for funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), intended to support the installation of young farmers and the development of small farms. According to the investigation, an authorized consultant allegedly used and submitted false and inaccurate documents in 237 projects presented to the contracting authority, the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR). The projects were submitted on behalf of 237 legal entities, including individual enterprises, family businesses, authorised individuals and companies.
The allegedly false documents were used to demonstrate compliance with the funding conditions and to fraudulently obtain non-repayable EU financial support. The total value of the requested funding amounted to approximately 5.7 million (RON 27.7 million), while the estimated damage to the EU budget is approximately 3.5 million (RON 16.8 million).
The main suspect, the consultant, was detained on May 13, 2026 and arrested the following day by the Bucharest Tribunal, at the request of the EPPO. Three other individuals were indicted and placed under judicial control.
In addition, 22 individuals are under investigation for allegedly agreeing, in exchange for commissions ranging from 10% to 15% of the total project value, to allow fraudulent funding applications to be submitted in their names.
If found guilty, the defendants could face prison sentences of up to 10 years.
