The EPPO in Riga is carrying out searches today in the city of Daugavpils (Latvia), including at the Daugavpils University, in a probe into suspected fraud concerning European Union’s Social Fund, with estimated damages of €600 000.
The suspects, which include a high-level official at Daugavpils University, are believed to have committed fraud involving funding from the European Social Fund awarded to that institution, namely by rigging specifications in public procurement procedures and inflating costs.
Part of the funds have been channelled to companies in other Member States, according to the investigation.
During the operation, four persons were arrested and assets and real estate were seized.
The searches, carried out with the help of the Economic Crime Department of the State Police of Latvia, are still ongoing.