2024-07-30 15:32:16
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), through its branch in Bucharest, brought charges against four Romanians who are believed to be part of a criminal network linked to the Italian mafia, reports Digi24. They are suspected of fraud for 4.3 million euros with subsidies from European and national funds.
The defendants formed a criminal group, together with other suspects, to provide false letters of guarantee to the beneficiaries of projects financed with EU funds. In exchange for issuing the letters, which were a form of insurance against possible damages, the suspects received large sums of money.
They implemented the fraudulent scheme on behalf of companies registered in the Czech Republic and Latvia, which did not have the right to issue letters of guarantee, nor financial means to cover the insured damages. The use of these documents led to an illegal profit of around €4.3 million, with the majority of funds coming from the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Regional Operational Programme.
If found guilty, the defendants can receive from 4 to 15 years in prison, writes BTA.