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.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Milan (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) have arrested the suspected ringleader of a complex tax fraud involving the sale of cosmetics. Over €3.6 million is being seized, pursuant to an order by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Rome.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has filed an indictment against two Croatian citizens for subsidy fraud and document forgery, following an investigation into three projects co-financed by the EU, including the construction of a greenhouse. 

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) carried out five searches yesterday in the Romanian capital, as part of an investigation into an €8 million fraud involving EU funds for the purchase of medical equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Rome and Turin (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Rome are currently arresting eleven suspects and seizing assets worth up to €25 million, in an investigation into a VAT fraud involving the sale of electronic goods.

Investigation ‘Greasy Hands’, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Turin (Italy), is targeting a criminal organisation alleged to have imported vehicle lubricants to the Italian market while systematically evading VAT, causing a loss of over €15 million. 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia), a former Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Culture and Media, currently Chief Conservator at the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, was arrested today on suspicion of corruption, in an investigation into the Faculty of Geodesy of the University of Zagreb.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has initiated an investigation against three individuals and one company suspected of subsidy fraud and document forgery, to obtain a grant of approximately €2.5 million for earthquake repairs, financed by the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF). All suspects were arrested yesterday (29 April 2024) at the request of the EPPO. 

Last week, 40 searches were conducted and nine suspects were detained, in an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius (Lithuania) into a €4 million subsidy fraud. At issue are four projects co-funded by the EU, including one for the production of Covid-19 protective equipment. 

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) is carrying out searches today in several locations in Brăila County, in an investigation into a suspected €561 000 fraud involving EU agricultural funds. A civil servant’s office, three companies and four homes are being searched.