Fraud scheme involving EU employment subsidies uncovered in Bulgaria

Bulgarian authorities have detained eight suspects, including a public official, following an investigation into an organized crime group accused of fraudulently securing nearly 1 million euro ($1.17 million) in EU employment subsidies, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced.

According to investigators, the network used shell companies to apply for funding under Bulgaria’s Human Resources Development Program for 2021–2027. The suspects allegedly submitted falsified data and fabricated fictitious employment contracts to meet strict eligibility requirements.

During the crackdown, officers from Bulgaria’s General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime executed eight search warrants, seizing documents and other critical evidence.