Direkt zum Inhalt
European Union flag
Deutsch
The independent public prosecution office of the EU
Report a crime

Organised crime group in Bulgaria investigated for fraud of EU funds

Published on

The activity of an organised crime group in Bulgaria is under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). On 15 February 2022, four suspects were detained by the police for 24 hours, and their homes and offices were searched. Police forces from the General Directorate Combating Organised Crime (Главна Дирекция „Борба с организираната престъпност“) within the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior seized a large amount of documents, money in cash (around €11 000), computer servers and mobile phones.

Several persons are suspected of presenting false information to obtain European funds from the European Social Fund, as well as under the “Supporting micro and small enterprises to overcome the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic” measure. 

The exact amount of the damages to the EU budget is still under evaluation and no charges have been filed. No further details can be communicated at this stage of the investigation.

The EPPO took over the case from the Specialised Prosecutor’s Office in Bulgaria in December 2021.