Romanian Anti-Fraud body recoups EUR 700,000 debts in 2007

DLAF made 103 check-ups in 2007 regarding the way European funds were obtained and used. The institution found irregularities in 14 cases and fraud hints in 56 cases.

The total value of the projects put under the anti-fraud department's magnifying glass hiked 38 percent in 2007 against the year before to 200 million euros. The number of checked projects involving PHARE funds rose 20 percent while those involving SAPARD funds doubled.

People sent to court following DLAF's investigations risk up to 20 years of prison. The main fraud methods identified by DLAF are the use of fake, wrong or incomplete papers (34 percent), the use of untrue declarations, (16 percent), non-eligible spendings (15 percent) and violations of standards regarding public acquisitions (4 percent).