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DIICOT's 'ironic' message on pension fraud sparks public backlash
🇷🇴 Romania /Crime & Justice

DIICOT's 'ironic' message on pension fraud sparks public backlash

From Adevărul · () Romanian

Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Romania's DIICOT posted a Facebook message about pension fraud investigations, which was interpreted as an ironic jab at the interim Labor Minister, Dragoș Pîslaru.
  • The message, "Today we are also at the Pension House! Sorry we didn't announce beforehand!", alluded to Pîslaru's dismissal of an official for not informing him about a raid on nursing homes.
  • DIICOT uncovered a scheme where fake companies and non-profits created fictitious work histories for over 860 people, leading to fraudulent pensions and an estimated 7 million lei in damages.

Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) posted a message on its official Facebook page that has been widely interpreted as an ironic commentary on the interim Minister of Labor, Dragoș Pîslaru. The post, made on Wednesday, July 15, accompanied details of investigations into pension fraud and featured the text: "Today we are also at the Pension House! Sorry we didn't announce beforehand!"

Prin introducerea în bazele de date ale ANAF a unor declarații fiscale D112 cu informații nereale, beneficiarilor li se crea, în mod fictiv, vechime în muncă și stagii de cotizare

— DIICOTExplanation of how fictitious work history was created for individuals.

This message was seen as a pointed remark referencing Pîslaru's recent decision to dismiss Alexandra Zară, the former head of the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (ANPDPD). Zară was fired for allegedly failing to inform the minister in advance about a DIICOT operation at nursing homes in Bihor county. The DIICOT post, with its seemingly apologetic tone about not giving prior notice, struck many as a direct, albeit indirect, criticism of the minister's actions and expectations.

DIICOT detailed its findings in a fraud scheme where hundreds of individuals allegedly obtained fictitious work seniority and, consequently, pensions or increased pension amounts. The agency reported that "phantom companies" and non-profit associations were used to retroactively register individuals as employees, even if they never worked there. By submitting false information to the tax authorities, these individuals were granted fictitious work history and contribution periods.

Ironie de doi lei, de la oameni de doi lei, plătiți bine din banii noștri!

— Internet userA critical comment from a social media user regarding DIICOT's ironic post.

Investigators stated that over five years, this mechanism generated fictitious seniority for more than 860 people. Over 170 of these individuals used the false data to claim pensions or higher amounts. In some cases, pensions were granted to individuals who would not have qualified without the fabricated work periods. The estimated prejudice, calculated up to December 31, 2024, stands at approximately 7 million lei and is expected to rise. DIICOT conducted 30 search warrants across Bucharest and several surrounding counties as part of the investigation.

Ironie de prost gust! Faceți-vă corect jobul. Cine greșește trebuie să plătească! Însă glumițele astea pe Facebook nu au niciun haz și nu se potrivesc unei instituț

— Internet userAnother critical comment from a social media user finding DIICOT's post inappropriate for a public institution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Adevărul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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