EPPO Probes €4 Million Romania Hospital Procurement Fraud Over Allegedly Inflated EU-Funded Medical Equipment Costs

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) conducted seven searches across a hospital, a county council, companies, and private residences in Romania's Muntenia region on July 21, 2026, as part of an investigation into suspected procurement fraud and abuse of office. The inquiry involves a €4 million project funded through the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to procure medical equipment and supplies aimed at reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

According to the EPPO, investigators have substantial grounds to believe the project's estimated value was artificially inflated. Prosecutors allege that nearly 70 quotations submitted to support the procurement budget were not authentic. The agency also emphasized that all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Romanian courts.

According to the EPPO, investigators conducted seven searches at companies, public authorities, and suspects' residences to gather physical and electronic evidence. The inquiry focuses on suspected procurement fraud and abuse of office linked to a EU-funded healthcare project financed through the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

The EPPO said investigators have substantial grounds to believe the project's budget was artificially inflated through manipulation of the estimated value of medical equipment. Prosecutors allege that nearly 70 quotations submitted to support the procurement budget were not authentic.

Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) initially referred the case to the EPPO. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) later submitted a notification report on suspected fraud and provided operational analysis to support the investigation.

Also see: From Subway Counter to $712K Scam: Las Vegas Man Was Jailed for Hospital Invoice Fraud in 2024

The €4 million procurement project aimed to improve infection prevention by purchasing procurement of clinical equipment and supplies to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections. These infections develop during a patient's hospital stay and can increase the risk of complications, prolong treatment, and place additional strain on healthcare systems.

The Ilfov County Council said it has provided the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) with all necessary documents related to procurement at the Ilfov County Emergency Clinical Hospital. In its official statement, the council said it remains open to cooperating with the investigation and added, "If the investigation establishes that some officials have violated their duties in the conduct of this procurement, they will face the rigors of the law."

The investigation remains ongoing, with the EPPO continuing to examine the procurement process while all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty before the competent Romanian courts.

References:

1. European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). "Romania: EPPO Conducts Searches in Probe into €4 Million Hospital Procurement Fraud." European Public Prosecutor's Office, July 21, 2026. https://www.eppo.europa.eu/media/news/romania-eppo-conducts-searches-probe-eur4-million-hospital-procurement-fraud-2026-07-21_en.

2. Ilfov County Council. “Ilfov County Council Collaborates With the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Investigation Regarding Fraudulent Acquisitions.” Ilfov County Council, July 21, 2026. https://www.cjilfov.ro/

(Rh/TP/MSM)