Romania uncovers massive ID card fraud ring
Over 1,700 individuals from Moldova, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Union states allegedly falsely registered their residency in Romania's Suceava County to obtain Romanian identity cards.
On Thursday, July 3, Romanian border police, coordinated by the High Court of Cassation and Justice Prosecutor's Office, conducted raids at 93 locations, including public institutions and private homes. These raids are part of a criminal investigation into bribery, cyber fraud, forging official documents, and using forged documents.
According to investigators, the beneficiaries, including Moldovan citizens, obtained Romanian identity documents and citizenship using forged citizenship certificates and fictitious declarations of domicile. Methods included falsified residency statements, often submitted without the property owners' consent and without the individuals physically present before officials from the Public Records Office.
"The false data involves forged citizenship certificates and fictitious domiciles, as the beneficiaries never actually lived at the registered addresses. This entire scheme aimed to enable beneficiaries to obtain identity documents proving their identity, Romanian citizenship, and, where applicable, their domicile or residency in Romania," stated the Romanian Border Police.
The investigation aims to dismantle a network of officials from a public records service and a local mayor's office who allegedly issued these documents in exchange for undue benefits.
The operation was conducted with the support of the Bacău Mobile Gendarmerie and the Technical Service of the High Court of Cassation and Justice Prosecutor's Office. Authorities emphasize that, at this stage of the investigation, the principle of presumption of innocence is being respected.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
