Romania Uncovers 18 Million Lei Fraud in Waste Recycling Sector; Luxury Car Seized

The Romanian General Directorate for Fiscal Anti-Fraud (ANAF) has exposed a sophisticated scheme designed to defraud the state budget, operating within the packaging waste recycling industry. The investigation has identified a Bucharest company that allegedly siphoned off approximately 18.41 million lei (around $3.7 million USD) by manipulating its tax obligations, specifically profit tax and VAT.

According to ANAF's findings, the company, between 2023 and 2025, collected over 53.25 million lei for seemingly legitimate waste collection and recycling services. However, the anti-fraud inspectors revealed that the firm allegedly incorporated fictitious invoices from nine non-operational companies into its accounting records. This tactic was reportedly used to artificially reduce its tax liabilities and illegally deduct expenses and VAT.

Further details from the investigation indicate that several of the implicated companies were established recently and declared inactive shortly after. These entities allegedly operated solely in relation to the investigated beneficiary, issuing documents for sham waste purchases and processing services. ANAF noted the absence of employees, real business premises, and even bank accounts in some cases, highlighting the purely fraudulent nature of these operations. The recovered funds were allegedly used for personal enrichment by the company's administrators, with over two million lei withdrawn in cash or spent on personal expenses. In a dramatic turn, investigators also discovered the purchase of a luxury car valued at 487,500 euros, funded by the illicit proceeds. To recoup the estimated damages, ANAF has implemented precautionary measures, seizing company assets including land, vehicles, and bank accounts, and will refer the case to the competent criminal prosecution bodies.