Andrew Tate indicted in Romania for trafficking minors, money laundering

Romanian prosecutors have indicted social media influencers Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate on charges of human trafficking, sex with minors, and money laundering. The indictment stems from an investigation that began in 2022 when the brothers were arrested in Bucharest and formally indicted in 2023. However, a court returned the case to the anti-organized crime agency DIICOT in 2024 due to procedural irregularities.

The Tates, dual U.S.-British citizens, are accused of recruiting a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England in 2012 and obtaining over $1.2 million from her webcam activities after repeatedly transporting her to Romania. Tristan Tate is also accused of knowingly deceiving the victim about his brother's intentions, facilitating her sexual exploitation between 2014 and 2021.

Andrew Tate is alleged to have had sexual intercourse and acts with another 15-year-old minor between December 2020 and mid-2021. The brothers allegedly tried to hide the illicit origin of the money obtained from human trafficking by purchasing four luxury cars worth about 825,000 euros and requested their confiscation. Both brothers have denied the allegations, with Andrew Tate claiming there is a political conspiracy to silence them.

The Tates are currently held in Miami after the U.K. requested their extradition in July on sex crimes allegations. Their lawyers argue that the U.K.'s extradition request is premature as their case in Romania is pending.