(Luxembourg, 13 May 2026) - At the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Warsaw (Poland), nine suspects were detained yesterday in an investigation into suspected subsidy fraud and attempted money laundering involving childcare institutions in Gdynia and Gdańsk.
The investigation concerns a company that, in September 2024, submitted an application to establish and operate nine nurseries for children under three years, each with 40 care places, to the Pomeranian regional administration (Voivodeship) in Gdańsk. The company submitted, in August 2025, applications for the release of approximately €66 500 (PLN 282,577.24) for each institution, with a total of around €599 000 (a total of PLN 2,543,195.16) under the Active Toddler 2022–2029 programme, co-financed for 82.52% from the European Social Fund (ESF). Shortly after, the Pomeranian Voivodeship paid the bulk of the requested funds, €532 426 (PLN 2 260 617.92) but suspended the remaining payment due to suspected fraud. The investigation found that the company submitted false and unreliable documents and statements to secure funding and sign the contract. Evidence showed the project lacked legitimate nursery premises, experienced nursery staff, and the financial resources needed to create childcare places for children under three.
Officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (Centralne Biuro Antykorupcyjne) in Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz and Lublin carried out over a dozen searches in premises linked to the investigation. Nine individuals were detained for interrogation and preventive measures were ordered against them. Assets worth €538 242 were frozen and the distributed funds were returned to the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Polish 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.