Category: Romania

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Financial scammers detained following actions coordinated by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

The OCG started their scam by posting false advertisements on the internet that promoted an investment plan that would lead to secure, quick and substantial earnings in virtual currencies. To ensure the credibility of the advertisements, pictures of well-known people, logos of banks and specialised economic publications were added.

People clicking on the advertisement were led to a fake investment platform where the victims would fill in their personal information. To obtain even more personal data, the scammers, posing as financial actors, called their victims to gain access to their bank accounts. With access to the bank accounts, the group transferred sums of money and took over the possession of the victim’s virtual currencies. Through this scam, the OCG was able to gain approximately EUR 3 million.

Investigations into the scam started after victims in Romania reached out to the authorities. This resulted in the uncovering of an organised crime group in Moldova that was responsible for the scam. Investigations continued at Eurojust, where the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to work together quickly and efficiently to stop the OCG.

The coordinated actions led to an action day on 7 August during which 19 house searches were conducted in Moldova and evidence such as computers, data storage units, weapons and ammunition, and documents were seized. Moldovan authorities ordered the preventive detention of 12 suspects.

Europol supported the action day by setting up a virtual command post to coordinate the operational activities, providing live cryptoanalysis and cross-checks against Europol’s databases as the data was being collected in the field.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism – Central Structure
  • Moldova: Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases
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Actions taken to stop Romanian human trafficking network

Source: Eurojust

An ongoing investigation led by the Romanian authorities confirmed that, in order to obtain important material benefits, the OCG members have been committing offences of trafficking in human beings, pimping and money laundering, since at least January 2022.

The victims from disadvantaged backgrounds were recruited in Romania and subsequently transported to France for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The recruitment and control of the victims involved various forms of coercion, including threat, force and deception.

The suspects executed most of their activities from Romania, travelling to France only for short periods. Through profiles on a website, they coordinated their activities and were in touch with their clients.

Different short-term rental apartments in France, mostly located in Lyon, were used for their activities. The proceeds of the sexual exploitation were sent to the leaders of the group in Romania and laundered through different investments.

With the support of Eurojust, connections between Romanian and French investigative authorities were made, bringing prosecution to the next phase.

The cooperation between the authorities led to a joint action day on 3 July, coordinated by Eurojust. In Romania, 14 locations were searched and vehicles and money were also seized. Furthermore, bank cards which belonged to victims were found. Of the eight six suspects, six were identified in Romania and two in France. Two of the suspects have been arrested.

Europol facilitated the exchange of information and provided analytical support to the investigation. On the action day, Europol deployed staff to the coordination centre at Eurojust.

Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation remains the most prevalent form of exploitation in the European Union, with women and girls accounting for 87% of victims. As human trafficking usually takes place across borders, judicial cooperation is key to dismantling the OCGs and bringing them to justice. In 2023, Eurojust assisted in over 300 cross-border human trafficking cases.

The authorities involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Special Operations Directorate, Service for Combating Organized Crime Olt and Gorj; Offices for Combating Organized Crime of Bucharest and Craiova; Mobile Gendarmerie Group “Buzești Brothers” Craiova, Special Intervention Brigade of the Gendarmerie; Prosecution Office of High Court of Cassation and Justice, Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Mehedinti Territorial Office;
  • France: Investigative judge from JIRS Lyon (Interregional Specialised Jurisdiction); Research Section Lyon, Gendarmerie Nationale
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Illegal trade in fake and prohibited pesticides and fertilizers halted in Romania and Italy

Source: Eurojust

The substances were all banned for trade in the European Union, as they could be dangerous to users and consumers as they contained high doses of active substances. The suspects illegally imported the products from China and Singapore, but sold them as bio- or organic fertilizers and pesticides, using fake labels. The suspects also sold goods that were fake but pretended they were legitimate organic products.

Between February and May 2023, three suspect shipments arriving from outside the European Union were detected by the Romanian customs authorities. Subsequent inspections by the phytosanitary authorities confirmed it concerned fake or banned products, using falsified labels.

Further investigations and searches in Romania, showed an organised crime group (OCG) was behind the illegal activities. The OCG was composed of Romanian and Italian nationals who took over existing companies in Romania or registered new trading companies for the sale of the products in Italy. Falsified declaration forms were used for this purpose.

The Italian judicial authority gathered extensive evidence on the destination to the domestic market of the goods illegally introduced into Romania and identified the suspects who had promoted the illicit traffic in agricultural products from Italy.

At the request of the authorities involved, early this year Eurojust assisted with the setting up and financing of a JIT team into the OCG. The Agency organised a dedicated coordination meeting and supported the cross-border judicial response to the illegal activities.

Europol held several operational meetings in order to proceed with national investigations in a synergistic and aligned manner. Furthermore, it facilitated the exchange of information and provided constant analytical support to the investigations. During operational activities, Europol sent an expert to the field to cross-check operational information in real time and provide the experts with any guidance and technical support.

This support led to a series of coordinated actions in Romania and Italy, during which ten locations were searched across Arad, Bucharest, Verona, and Naples, gathering additional evidence of the crimes. During the course of the activities, the Romanian Judicial Authority also arrested one of the suspects.

The following authorities carried out the operations:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, Constanta Territorial Office; Special Operation Directorate (DOS); Brigade for Combating Organized Crime – Sea Ports Combating Organized Crime Service; Border Customs Offices Constanta and Constanta Sud
  • Italy: PPO Verona; NAS Carabinieri Padua; Financial Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza Verona
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Successful operation against cryptocurrency scam coordinated by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

A coordinated operation to uncover an intricate cryptocurrency scam led to the arrest of a suspect in France. The investigation in Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Romania, supported by Eurojust and Europol, revealed that the suspects were using a scam method known as ‘rip deals’ that caused losses of EUR 700 000 to Portuguese victims.

Scammers using the ’rip deal’ method trick their victims into exchanging money via a fraudulent money exchange programme, which they then use to steal the victim’s assets.

Investigations revealed that the suspects scammed victims across Europe, including in Austria, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The suspects would approach their victims by expressing an interest in acquiring commercial businesses. After gaining their trust and convincing them to install crypto asset wallets, the suspects would steal the victim’s funds.

In the next phase of the scam, other members of the organised crime group would launder the proceeds of the fraud by moving them through several crypto assets. This made it difficult to trace the proceeds.

The investigation, spanning several years, culminated in an action day supported by Eurojust and Europol. During the operation, carried out simultaneously in France, Germany, Italy, and Romania, one suspect was arrested and several houses were searched. Authorities froze multiple bank accounts and seized material goods such as equipment containing information on the scam.

Eurojust supported the investigation by enabling cooperation between the countries involved in the operation. The coordination meeting at Eurojust helped the authorities to exchange information and prepare for the action day. Additionally, Eurojust supported the execution of European Investigation Orders (EIOs), European Arrest Warrants (EAWs), and freezing orders.

The following authorities were involved in the coordinated operation:

  • Portugal: Regional Department for Criminal Investigation and Prosecution of Coimbra; Judicial Police
  • France: Judiciary Tribunal of Bobigny; National Police 93
  • Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office Darmstadt; ZK32 at Criminal Directorate Offenbach, Southeast Hesse Police
  • Italy: Public Prosecutor Office in Milan; Italian State Police – Cyber Security Operations Centre “Lombardia” in Milan
  • Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism – Territorial Structure Timișoara; Romanian Police, Office of Combating Organised Crime Timisoara – Unit Combating Informatics Crimes.
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Migrant smuggling operation taken down by Romanian and Moldovan authorities

Source: Eurojust

A migrant smuggling operation has been dismantled by Romanian and Moldovan authorities, with the support of Eurojust. From 2019 until now, an organised crime group (OCG) smuggled over 100 migrants to the Schengen Area, demanding up to EUR 5 000 for the transport. On 27 May, authorities searched 11 houses and carried out multiple interrogations in Romania, and on 16 May another eight searches were conducted in Moldova, followed by the arrest of four drivers and their leader.

© – Romanian Police

The OCG smuggled migrants from Asia or Africa for sums ranging from EUR 3 000 to EUR 5 000. The migrants were smuggled in special spaces created to disguise the transport. The suspects used multiple routes for the smuggling, passing through Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Türkiye. As part of their operation, the OCG recruited victims from countries that did not require a visa to travel to the European Union to transport the migrants undetected.

With the support of Eurojust, the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to expose the OCG. The suspects include over 20 Romanian and Moldovan citizens. In April, multiple house searches, interrogations and asset seizures were carried out in Moldova. Currently, four drivers from Moldova and their organiser have been officially charged with organising illegal immigration.

The JIT resulted in action days on 16 May in Moldova and on 27 May in Romania. Authorities were able to conduct 19 house searches and perform multiple interrogations of suspects. Of the five members of the OCG from Moldova, two have made a full confession. Eurojust facilitated cooperation between the Romanian and Moldovan authorities. Eurojust’s assistance in setting up a JIT ensured that the Romanian and Moldovan authorities were able to cooperate faster and more efficiently during the investigation.

The following authorities were involved in the operation:

Romania:

  • Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism – Galați Territorial Service
  • Bureau for Combating Organized Crime Galați
  • Service for Combating Organized Crime Dâmbovița
  • Special Operations Directorate of the Romanian Police

Moldova:

  • Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crimes and Special Cases
  • National Investigative Inspectorate of the General Police Inspectorate
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Assistance in dismantling Pakistani-led migrant smuggling network in Romania, Italy and Austria

Source: Eurojust

Authorities in Romania, Italy and Austria have dismantled a criminal network that abused work visas to smuggle over 500 Pakistani, Bengali and Egyptian migrants to various EU Member States. In total, 12 suspects have been formally identified and will be charged during an action day with the active support by Eurojust and Europol. Eurojust also assisted in setting up and financing a joint investigation team (JIT) into the case.

The migrant smuggling network advertised its services online, but members of the organised crime group (OCG) based in Pakistan also recruited migrants locally. The criminal network started its activities in January 2021 and operated until recently. In the EU, the OCG operated from Romania, Italy and Austria and is estimated to have earned at least EUR 1 million with their illegal activities.

© DIICOT and Politia Romana

The smugglers obtained Romanian work visas for the migrants through a series of linked companies set up for this purpose, and placed them in Bucharest and Brasov. From there they were transported to the border area near Timisoara, from where they were further trafficked to Italy, Austria and Germany. These onward journeys were either by guided passage on foot across the border or in lorries.

Investigations were launched in Romania in August of last year and identified 15 suspects and 5 enterprises set up for the smuggling activities. During the action day, a total of 29 places have been searched and an estimated value of EUR 146,000 in cash was seized.

Eurojust not only assisted in setting up the JIT between Romania, Italy and Europol, but also provided additional cross-border judicial support during the action. Europol provided elaborate analytical support and operational cooperation and facilitated the exchange of information.

The operation on the ground was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Brasov Territorial Structure; Brasov Bureau for Combatting Organised Crime
  • Austria: Public Prosecution Office Salzburg; State Criminal Police Office Salzburg
  • Italy: Public Prosecution Office of Udine; Carabinieri, Special Operational Group of Udine Anti-Crime Unit
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Stolen Baroque painting returned to the United Kingdom with support from Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

The handover of the painting took place on 26 March 2024 at the National Museum of Art, Bucharest, between Thames Valley Police, Romanian Police, Christ Church College and the Romanian Ministry of Culture. This was assisted by the National Crime Agency’s International Liaison Network.

The UK authorities are appealing for information about two other paintings stolen in the same raid: ‘A Soldier on Horseback’ by Anthony van Dyck, dating from around 1616, and ‘A Boy Drinking’ by Annibale Carracci, dating from around 1580.

© Thames Valley Police

The Romanian police were contacted by a man in possession of the Rosa painting, who had sold on the other two artworks, which are understood to be somewhere in Europe. He chose to return the Rosa painting to the authorities. The man is being treated as a witness by the Romanian authorities and has not been arrested.

The three works had an estimated value of GBP 10 million (EUR 11.7 million).

The case was opened at Eurojust at the request of the United Kingdom. The Agency helped the national authorities involved to coordinate their investigations and to resolve the legal problems related to the different national laws. Eurojust assisted the UK authorities in drafting a letter of restitution for the Romanian authorities so that the painting could be returned promptly to Oxford Christ Church.

This investigation was also supported by Europol.

The following authorities took part in this investigation:

  • Romania: Public Prosecutor’s Office attached to Ilfov Tribunal (PPO), Romanian Police Directorate for Investigating Economic Crime (IGPR – DICE)
  • United Kingdom: Thames Valley Police, National Crime Agency International Liaison Network
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Crackdown on criminal network that used minors and women for street begging in Portugal

Source: Eurojust

Supported by Eurojust and Europol, judicial and law enforcement authorities in Portugal and Romania have dismantled an organised crime group involved in human trafficking, qualified fraud and money laundering. The suspects allegedly transported Romanian citizens, mostly minors and women, to Portugal and used them to beg for a fictitious association, posing as deaf-mute children and young people.

The criminal network is believed to have made a profit of over EUR 230,000 from this criminal activity.

During a joint action on 11-14 March, the Portuguese and Romanian authorities carried out six house searches, interrogated three defendants and interviewed five witnesses in Romania. Eight more suspects were interrogated in the weeks following the operation. At least thirty victims were identified and brought to safety.

Eurojust assisted the Portuguese and Romanian authorities in setting up and funding a joint investigation team into the case in April 2023. The Agency organised and hosted two coordination meetings to facilitate judicial cooperation and prepare for the joint action.

Europol facilitated the exchange of information between the different law enforcement authorities involved.

The following authorities took part in this investigation:

  • Portugal: Porto Public Prosecution Office; Porto Public Security Police
  • Romania: Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism – Central Structure (PPO); Service for Combating Organised Crime Ialomita (police)