Key facts
- Calin Georgescu, a former Romanian presidential candidate, is under investigation for fraud.
- The fraud case involves an alleged 1.1 million euro scheme promising access to foreign financing.
- DIICOT identified Georgescu as the ringleader of a criminal group.
- Prosecutors allege the group defrauded businesspeople by demanding financial deposits as guarantees for loans.
- Georgescu faces multiple other charges, including undermining constitutional order and promoting extremist ideologies.
Calin Georgescu, a former presidential candidate in Romania known for his ultranationalist and pro-Russian platform, has been detained by law enforcement in connection with a fraud case totaling 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million), according to Romanian news outlet Digi24.
The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) announced on September 21, 2026, that it had uncovered a criminal group led by a 64-year-old Romanian citizen. This group allegedly defrauded businesspeople by promising access to financing from foreign financial institutions in exchange for financial deposits as guarantees.
Local media identified the ringleader as Georgescu, who was reportedly taken into custody. Searches were conducted at five addresses in Mogosoaia, Ciolpani, Buftea, and Bucharest. DIICOT prosecutors stated that three suspects—two Romanians aged 64 and 47, and a 56-year-old Italian—established the fraud scheme in September 2021.
Prosecutors detailed that the ringleader instructed the other suspects to pose as representatives of foreign companies offering substantial sums to individuals seeking to develop businesses in Romania. One victim was allegedly convinced to transfer 1 million euros ($1.15 million) for a promised 6-million-euro ($6.89 million) loan. The victim later transferred an additional 100,000 euros ($115,000) when the loan offer was increased to 15 million euros ($17.22 million).
Georgescu is already facing multiple criminal charges, including undermining constitutional order and promoting xenophobic and extremist ideologies. His detention comes after Romania's constitutional court annulled the results of the 2024 presidential election and ordered a rerun due to a Russian-backed social media campaign aimed at supporting Georgescu, identified by Romanian intelligence.
Supporters of Georgescu have gathered at DIICOT headquarters, and George Simion, head of the AUR party, protested the action on social media, calling it an "abuse."