Romania: Three indicted over €3.5 million fraud involving 237 EU-funded agricultural projects

(Luxembourg, 27 October 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) has filed an indictment at the Bucharest Tribunal against three individuals accused of fraud involving non-repayable EU funding for 237 projects to support small farms and young farmers.

The investigation uncovered hundreds of projects submitted for funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), intended to support the installation of young farmers and the development of small farms. Based on the evidence, a consultant – the main defendant in this case – submitted false and inaccurate documents in 237 projects presented to the contracting authority, the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR), on behalf of companies and family businesses.

The total funding requested amounted to approximately €5.7 million (RON 27.7 million), through the 237 funding applications identified as fraudulent in the investigation to date. Of these, 170 projects received funding, resulting in an estimated damage to the EU budget of €3.5 million (RON 16.8 million).

The three defendants include the main suspect – a consultant who was arrested in May 2026 – and two other individuals who were placed under judicial control. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences of up to 10 years.

A further 30 individuals have admitted the offences and requested that plea agreements be concluded, with the relevant legal procedures now underway.

In addition, dozens of other individuals have been investigated of having agreed, in exchange for commissions ranging from 10% to 15% of the total project value, to allow fraudulent funding applications to be submitted in their names.

The investigation was conducted by the EPPO in Bucharest, together with judicial police officers from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) - Support Structure for the European Delegated Prosecutors in Romania, with the support of the Dâmbovița County Police Inspectorate (IPJ Dâmbovița) and the Bucharest General Police Directorate - Economic Crime Investigation Brigade (DGPMB).

All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian courts of law.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (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.