02 July 2026 , 12:00
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At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria), eight suspects were detained today, including a public official, over a €900 000 subsidy fraud involving employment benefits.
The detentions are related to an investigation into the activities of an organised criminal group suspected of fraudulently obtaining EU funds under employment support programmes. Officers of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (ГДБОП) also carried out eight searches and seized documents and evidence.
According to the evidence gathered so far, the members of the group used commercial companies to apply for projects financed under the Human Resources Development Programme 2021-2027. They are believed to have submitted false information and created fictitious employment relationships, in order to meet programme eligibility requirements. It is suspected that the organised crime group benefited from the complicity of a public official.
The total amount of funds allegedly fraudulently claimed and received is approximately €990 000.
The investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts and establish the full scope of the alleged criminal activity.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Bulgarian courts of law.
The 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.
World Affairs Correspondent