(Luxembourg, 7 July 2025) – On behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Luxembourg City, the Luxembourgish Judicial Police (Service de police judiciaire – section EPPO) carried out multiple searches last week, as part of an investigation into suspected fraud involving EU regional development funds for public transport.
Premises of major Luxembourg bus companies, the Luxembourgish public transport administration and the house of a former senior official were searched. They are suspected of defrauding up to €12 million of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) from 2022 to 2023 and up to €11 million of the national budget in 2024.
Several public transport operators are believed to have systematically invoiced services as having been carried out using electric buses, whereas in reality, a significant portion of these services was allegedly performed using diesel or hybrid vehicles. This practice enabled the operators to benefit from a higher remuneration rate reserved for zero-emission services. Consequently, the required corrective coefficients for not complying with the electrification obligations were not applied either and resulted in overbilling in the period between 2022 and 2024.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Luxembourgish courts of law.
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.