Romanian pro-Russian politician faces fraud probe

Romanian authorities are investigating Călin Georgescu, a pro-Russian politician and former presidential frontrunner, for an alleged €1.1 million fraud. Prosecutors allege Georgescu and other suspects orchestrated a scheme to defraud a victim by promising business loans that never materialized. The group, led by Georgescu, allegedly presented themselves as affluent financiers capable of securing multi-million euro loans, often for significant business ventures. Through these alleged misrepresentations, they purportedly convinced one victim to transfer over €1.1 million.DIICOT, Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, announced the investigation, stating the scheme began in September 2021. Investigators executed five search warrants at properties linked to the suspects. Georgescu was reportedly stopped and taken for questioning on Monday, September 21, 2026. He was present during searches at his home in Mogoșoaia.Georgescu has faced prior legal challenges. He has faced charges including undermining Romania's constitutional order and promoting xenophobic ideologies. He is also on trial in a separate national security case involving an alleged coup plot. He gained attention as an ultranationalist, pro-Russian candidate in the 2024 presidential election, unexpectedly emerging as a frontrunner. However, Romania's constitutional court annulled election results, citing a Russian-backed social media campaign to bolster his candidacy. Supporters gathered outside DIICOT headquarters as he arrived, underscoring the case's political sensitivity.