Brussels investigates Bulgarian fraud with European agricultural subsidies

One of the central pillars of the investigation is the finding that unlawful subsidies from EU agricultural funds were declared using false or misleading data. Additionally, the investigation focuses on indications of an organized criminal structure that allegedly involves public officials.

The EPPO office in Sofia is cooperating with the Bulgarian national police to further investigate the case. The fraud scandal concerns subsidy applications from various EU agricultural schemes between 2020 and 2023. In the district of Burgas, the criminals submitted an application with incorrect information to the municipal agricultural office. 

Searches were conducted at the regional agricultural office, the business premises of the beneficiary, and the residence of a high-ranking public official; documents, digital data, and mobile phones were seized.

The exact extent of the financial damage has not yet been determined, but preliminary estimates indicate several hundred thousand euros per year. In the coming weeks, the investigation will likely deepen further. It will also be examined to what extent this involves a network or a one-time crime.

The case once again casts a shadow on the assessment and awarding of EU agricultural subsidies in Bulgaria and the oversight thereof. Questions have also previously been raised about corruption within the Bulgarian government apparatus. A similar issue is currently unfolding in Greece, where millions of euros are reportedly embezzled.