Law enforcement agencies mobilized across Romania on December 17, 2024, as part of operations targeting organized crime groups engaged in serious criminal activities. A coordinated effort led to the execution of 13 residential search warrants primarily across the counties of Vâlcea, Olt, and the capital city Bucharest. These activities aimed at dismantling organized crime networks accused of multiple offenses including illegal operations involving software, unauthorized access to computer systems, data integrity alteration, and fraud.
The investigations, spearheaded by the Vâlcea Organized Crime Combat Service and supported by prosecutors from the Directorate for Investigative Crimes of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Vâlcea Territorial Office, have revealed extensive criminal activity connected to these gangs. They have been linked to manipulating over 120 accounts of users on international e-commerce platforms, involving phishing methods to execute scams resulting in severe financial losses for victims.
According to the findings, it is believed the group, formed within Romania, utilized platforms with substantial historical transaction credibility to carry out fraudulent activities. From August 2022 to December 2024, members impersonated account holders to post non-existent sales listings, tricking numerous individuals, including foreign citizens, and directing them to transfer funds for products they never received. Evidence has surfaced implicatively identifying at least 708 victims from across Europe, collectively incurring losses exceeding 106 million euros.
The nature of the crimes committed prompted the collaboration of elite law enforcement units, with the investigations backed by Eurojust through the establishment of Joint Investigation Teams. Authorities from Germany and Austria also participated, conducting parallel operations resulting in search warrants being executed simultaneously within their jurisdictions.
Further investigations revealed the scale of the organized criminal activity was significantly prevalent across Germany, evidenced by the increasing number of reports filed. This prompted prosecutors to issue domestic arrest warrants for individuals identified as primary suspects within the cohorts, alongside European arrest warrants issued by German authorities.
Alongside this operation, those involved benefited from procedural rights granted under the criminal procedure code, including the presumption of innocence throughout the investigative process.
Coinciding with these activities, another operation targeting human trafficking was reported by authorities on December 16, 2024. Prosecutors from the Timisoara Territorial Office of DIICOT carried out 23 arrests, comprising 20 local suspects and three foreign nationals linked to the establishment of another organized group. This syndicate was also implicated for coordinating human trafficking operations.
During these raids, valuable assets were seized including more than 122,000 euros, weapons, illegal substances as well as various electronic devices utilized during their illicit activities. Prosecutors have since sought preventative detention for the majority of the arrested individuals, with court hearings already underway.
The legal proceedings are expected to last several weeks as authorities continue their efforts to dismantle these extensive networks and seek justice for the victims affected by the group's fraudulent schemes. With the seriousness of these crimes and the collaborative international response, law enforcement agencies are reinforcing their commitment to targeting organized crime effectively.
Everyone connected to these operations highlights the importance of maintaining transparency and procedural justice, reminding the public of their rights throughout the legal process. A spokesperson from the Vâlcea County Police Inspectorate noted, “While these individuals are investigated, we must respect their rights and the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty.”
