News

On 4 March 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain) initiated an investigation into possible irregularities affecting public contracts awarded by the health authorities of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands to a single company, for the purchase of medical equipment, including protective masks, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Given that Spain’s Central Court of Investigation No. 2 was investigating the same company for contracts awarded by other health authorities, and since one of those contracts was co-funded by the EU, the EPPO requested additional information to determine whether the case fell within its mandate.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), a freezing order of over €15 million, issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Palermo, was executed today against seven individuals and five companies, suspected of fraud involving EU funds, self-money laundering and tax evasion. 

An investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium), code-named ‘Kingdom’, has led to the arrest of seven suspects in the Netherlands, in a probe into a €13 million VAT fraud.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) have executed a freezing order against two farmers suspected of fraud involving agricultural funds, with an estimated damage of €650 000.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), a freezing order of over €442 000, issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Catania, was executed today against three individuals associated with an agricultural business operating in the province of Catania, suspected of fraud involving EU agricultural funds.

Under the supervision of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius (Lithuania), Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba – FNTT) is investigating possible fraud and forgery in the procurement of night-vision devices for the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, aimed at better protecting the EU’s external border with Belarus. Suspicions have been brought against four individuals and two companies.

On 14 October 2022, while receiving an exceptionally high number of reports and complaints, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) confirmed that it was investigating the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines in the European Union. No further details can be made public about this ongoing investigation, in order not to endanger its outcome.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has filed an indictment against two Croatian citizens for subsidy fraud and document forgery, following an investigation into three projects co-financed by the EU, including the construction of a greenhouse. 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Milan (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) have arrested the suspected ringleader of a complex tax fraud involving the sale of cosmetics. Over €3.6 million is being seized, pursuant to an order by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Rome.