A DIICOT investigation has uncovered a fraud scheme involving seven suspects, including two public officials, who enabled over 860 individuals to illegally secure pensions or inflate their retirement benefits. By manipulating ANAF fiscal databases, the group created fictitious work histories in exchange for payments reaching up to 50,000 lei, resulting in a documented 7 milioane de lei loss to the public pension budget as of December 31, 2024.
The Mechanics of the ANAF Database Breach
According to DIICOT, the criminal organization exploited access to the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) systems. The suspects inserted fraudulent data into D112 tax declarations, which serve as the primary source for social contribution obligations and individual employment records. By submitting these falsified documents, the group retroactively granted “employee” status to individuals who had never worked for the shell companies or nonprofit associations controlled by the suspects.
Did you know?
The D112 form is a fiscal document used to track social security contributions and income tax. By compromising this entry point, the perpetrators bypassed the verification protocols of the pension houses.
Impact on Pension Eligibility and Budgetary Losses
The fraud operated on two distinct levels: creating entirely fictitious work histories for those ineligible for benefits and inflating the pension amounts for existing beneficiaries. DIICOT reports that, in addition to the 860 individuals who gained illegal work history records, 170 clients successfully used the system to increase their pension payouts or trigger the initial release of pension funds.
Procurators emphasize that the damage is ongoing. As of the end of 2024, the calculated prejudice stands at 7 milioane de lei, but authorities anticipate this figure will rise as the investigation progresses. The manipulation effectively forced the pension houses to issue payments based on fraudulent eligibility criteria.
Scope of the DIICOT Operation
The crackdown involved 30 simultaneous raids across Bucharest, Ilfov, Teleorman, Constanța, Giurgiu, Ialomița, Călărași, and Galați. The investigation is currently targeting the group for several serious offenses, including:
- Establishment of an organized criminal group
- Computer fraud
- Aggravated deception
- Unauthorized use of non-public information
Beyond the two officials and the core group of seven, prosecutors identified 13 additional individuals who allegedly provided logistical support and facilitated the expansion of the criminal network.
Future Risks in Digitalized Social Security
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the suspects bypass pension verification?
The group used their internal access to ANAF databases to inject false information into D112 tax declarations. This created a “paper trail” that the pension authorities accepted as legitimate proof of employment.
What is the total estimated financial damage?
As of December 31, 2024, DIICOT has calculated a loss of 7 milioane de lei. Prosecutors expect this amount to increase as they audit more files.
Are there more suspects involved?
Yes. While the core group consists of seven people, DIICOT has identified 13 additional individuals who assisted in the maintenance and development of the fraudulent scheme.
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