Romanian raids target £1.7 million UK tax fraud across six counties

Romanian police carried out 21 search warrants and four arrest warrants on Thursday, 12 November 2026, across Bihor, Dolj, Argeș, Dâmbovița, Vaslui and Ilfov counties. The operation targeted homes of suspects and offices of commercial companies linked to an international computer fraud case.

Prosecutors say several Romanian citizens acted together between 12 January 2024 and 18 February 2026 to illegally access the online platform of Britain’s tax authority, HMRC. Despite password and multi-factor authentication protections, suspects allegedly submitted fraudulent VAT refund claims in the names of British companies.

“The effective damage produced by the fraudulent refunds paid is 1,706,038.31 pounds sterling.”

The effective damage exceeds 1.7 million pounds sterling, with one source citing the precise figure of 1,706,038.31 pounds. Investigators also allege suspects modified bank account data and transferred the stolen funds to accounts they controlled.

The case is coordinated by the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism under the supervision of a prosecutor from the Supreme Court of Cassation and Justice. It is conducted as a Joint Investigation Team with British authorities and support from EUROJUST.

Twenty British investigation officers took part in the operational activities, highlighting the cross-border nature of the investigation. Police did not specify which localities in Bihor County were searched or how many warrants were executed there.