Romanian prosecutors have indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges of money laundering, sex with a minor, and trafficking minors. His brother, Tristan Tate, has been indicted for complicity in the case, according to Romania’s anti-organised crime agency, the Directorate for Investigating Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT).
The indictment, announced on a Friday, follows a long-running investigation into the brothers, who are dual U.S.-British citizens and former professional kickboxers. The Tates are currently held in a Miami jail after the United Kingdom requested their extradition in July on separate rape and trafficking charges. While the UK has requested their extradition from the U.S., it remains unclear if Romania will seek their extradition to face the new charges.
Allegations of Exploitation and Coercion
DIICOT alleges that the brothers recruited victims by falsely claiming to seek marriage or a relationship before forcing them to produce sexually exploitative content for a webcam business. Prosecutors specifically allege that in 2012, Andrew Tate seduced a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England, and subsequently moved her to Bucharest, Romania. Once there, he allegedly used psychological intimidation and physical violence to force her to produce indecent images of children for social media.
Tristan Tate is accused of acting as an accessory who used physical aggression to coerce the victim. DIICOT further alleges that Tristan knew the victim’s age and, between 2014 and 2021, knowingly deceived her regarding his brother’s intentions to facilitate her sexual exploitation. Additionally, Andrew Tate is accused of having sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with another 15-year-old minor in Romania between December 2020 and mid-2021.
Financial Crimes and Money Laundering
The Romanian investigation claims the brothers generated significant profits from the exploitation of the minor. Prosecutors state the Tates kept approximately $1.25 million—roughly 80 percent of the total revenue—from the victim’s video chat income.
Between December 2023 and July 2024, the brothers allegedly attempted to disguise the illicit origin of these funds. DIICOT claims they laundered the money by purchasing four luxury cars valued at approximately 825,000 euros (roughly $957,000 to $958,000). Romanian prosecutors have requested that these vehicles be confiscated.
Furthermore, DIICOT alleges that the brothers attempted to pervert the course of justice by paying or intimidating victims to ensure they gave false statements or refused to provide statements to authorities.
Legal History and Defense
This indictment follows a complex legal history in Romania. The brothers were first arrested in Bucharest in late 2022 after authorities opened a probe into potential human trafficking. While they were formally indicted in 2023, the Bucharest court of appeals returned the case to prosecutors in late 2024, deeming some evidence inadmissible and citing multiple procedural and legal irregularities.
Eugen Constantin Vidineac, a Romanian lawyer for the Tates, stated that the brothers reject the allegations. Vidineac noted that the decision by DIICOT does not determine guilt and described the new indictment as an attempt to bring the case to court following the failure of the previous one. He added that the defense will challenge any evidential, procedural or legal deficiencies
through the judicial process.
The brothers have also described their wealthy and brash social media personas—which often promote male dominance and criticize gender equality—as characters rather than their true personalities. Andrew Tate has claimed the charges against him are part of a political conspiracy to silence his views.
Current Legal Status
The Tates recently testified in U.S. federal court in late August, arguing that they cannot adequately defend themselves against criminal sex charges while remaining in a Miami jail. Their lawyers have argued that the U.K.’s extradition request is out of line because the Romanian criminal case should take precedence.
In Romania, the case is now bound for a preliminary court chamber for a judge’s review. While Romanian law allows for the prosecution of defendants in absentia, and suggests a 60-day window for the preliminary chamber to finalize advancement, indictments typically take longer.