NAC Synthesis: Criminal assets worth about 4 million lei seized, a documented scam with virtual currencies and searches in a new case of electoral corruption

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) has reported several activities last week in the area of combating and preventing corruption. A new case of electoral corruption is being investigated by the NAC and prosecutors, which involves a member of a political party from Cahul. During the investigation, it was determined that he had bribed voters with amounts of up to 2,500 lei to influence their voting decision in the constitutional elections and referendum in the fall of 2024. In another case, several young people were documented in the context of organizing a scam scheme involving foreign citizens. As a result of their allegedly illegal actions, an elderly woman was damaged by 400 thousand lei. Case investigations continue to identify the entire network.

During the reporting period, the criminal investigation officers of the NAC forwarded 17 criminal cases to prosecutors for resolution, with another 24 cases being initiated. Currently, 11 persons, targeted in the Centre’s files, are arrested and detained in penitentiary institutions in the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti. Also, the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) of the NAC applied seizures on illicit goods and assets in corruption cases worth about 4,000,000 lei.

On the corruption prevention component, about 800 people benefited from training organized by anti-corruption officers, and the national campaign "I Decide with Integrity - I Vote with Accountability" to promote integrity in the electoral process reached Fălești and Cahul. The Legislation Directorate has reviewed 14 draft laws and issued 2 advisory opinions, with another 20 draft normative acts in procedure. Also, the Professional Integrity Testing Directorate has issued 135 integrity records, the Anti-corruption Hotline has received 35 calls from citizens, and 1919 materials have been registered in the Centre’s Chancellery.

At the end of the week, the Activity Report presenting the results of the NAC during 2024 was posted on the institution's official website.