Romania's pro-Russian ex-presidential candidate investigated for fraud, media reports
Romanian authorities are conducting searches at addresses linked to Calin Georgescu in connection with an alleged 1.1 million euro ($1.3 million) fraud scheme, Romanian media reported.
Former Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, 64, has been arrested by Romanian law enforcement in a 1.1 million euro ($1.3 million) fraud case. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) announced they had uncovered a criminal group led by Georgescu, who allegedly set up a fraud scheme to defraud businesspeople.
According to prosecutors, the ringleader instructed two other suspects to pose as successful businessmen from foreign companies, offering large sums of money to individuals seeking to develop business in Romania in exchange for financial deposits as guarantees. One victim reportedly transferred 1 million euros ($1.15 million) to the suspects, with an additional 100,000 euros ($115,000) sent after being offered an increased loan of 15 million euros ($17.22 million).
Georgescu is the former frontrunner in the 2024 presidential election, running on an ultranationalist, pro-Russian platform. The constitutional court later annulled his election result and ordered a rerun following a Russian-backed social media campaign to support him. Three suspects, two Romanians aged 64 and 47, and a 56-year-old Italian, are accused of setting up the fraudulent scheme in September 2021.
Georgescu already faces multiple criminal charges, including undermining constitutional order and promoting xenophobic and extremist ideologies.
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