Influencer Makaveli Detained in Tax Evasion Probe

Virgil Alexandru Zidaru, widely known online as Makaveli, was reportedly detained by masked officers and taken for questioning on June 11. He is being investigated by the Directorate for Investigating Economic Crime (DICE) in connection with suspicions of tax evasion and complicity in tax evasion.

Makaveli, who gained prominence for promoting Călin Georgescu, an independent presidential candidate, on TikTok, is allegedly involved in a continuous scheme of tax evasion. Reports indicate that he, along with three other individuals, is being investigated for failing to declare income earned from content creation on social media platforms. The total undeclared amount is estimated at 3,324,147 lei, resulting in an estimated prejudice of 574,000 lei to the state budget.

This action is part of "Operation JUPITER," coordinated by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice and the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police. Investigators are executing four summons orders in a criminal case registered with the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Bucharest Tribunal. The individuals involved are accused of repeatedly omitting to declare their earnings from social media activities.

The case is currently in the pre-trial investigation phase, and all individuals involved are presumed innocent until a final court decision is reached. Authorities are expected to inform the involved parties of the legal classification of their alleged offenses, their procedural rights and obligations, and any potential precautionary measures to recover the damages.