EPPO Poland: EU Funds Nursery Fraud Indictment Filed Over €3.3M Scheme

• The European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice, Poland, has indicted two suspects for attempting to fraudulently obtain €3.3 million in EU funds.
• The suspects allegedly filed 15 online applications for subsidies to establish nurseries under the 'Maluch+' program, co-financed by the European Social Fund+.
• They are accused of submitting forged lease contracts to secure funding for premises they did not own or have rights to across multiple Polish voivodeships.
• Police intervention led to the discovery of the falsified documents, preventing the disbursement of the €3,333,407.10 in requested funds.
• The charges include 15 offenses of document falsification, presenting false statements, and attempted fraud, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment.

This indictment by the EPPO underscores heightened scrutiny and active enforcement against fraud targeting EU funds in Poland.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Katowice, Poland, has filed an indictment against two individuals accused of attempting to fraudulently secure over €3.3 million in European Union funds designated for establishing nurseries across the country. The formal charges were brought before the Circuit Court in Katowice on September 8, 2026, following an extensive investigation into the alleged scheme.

The two suspects, acting jointly and representing a series of companies, are alleged to have submitted 15 separate online applications for subsidies. These applications targeted funds from the “Maluch+” ('Toddler+') program, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund+ (under the 2021-2027 financial framework) and the Polish state budget. The total amount sought through these fraudulent applications was precisely €3,333,407.10, equivalent to PLN 14,333,650.44.

Authorities discovered the alleged fraud after financing institutions, which had initially approved the applications, requested documentation confirming the applicants' rights to the premises where the nurseries were to be opened. The suspects provided what appeared to be lease contracts, but these documents were later found to be forged. Police alerted the financing entities to potential falsification, leading to an investigation that confirmed the documents were indeed fraudulent. Consequently, the planned payments were halted, preventing the disbursement of the funds.

The alleged scheme involved submitting applications to various regional authorities across Poland, specifically in the Silesian, Pomeranian, Warmian–Masurian, Lublin, Lesser Poland, and Greater Poland Voivodeships. All communication between the suspects and the financing institutions was conducted electronically, highlighting the digital nature of the attempted deception. The core of the fraud lay in the presentation of falsified lease agreements, as the suspects reportedly did not own or possess legal rights to any properties in the locations where the proposed nurseries were to be established.

Each of the 15 applications forms the basis of separate criminal charges. The suspects now face 15 counts of falsifying documents, presenting false statements to the financing institutions, and attempted fraud. If convicted in Polish courts, they could face significant prison sentences, ranging from six months to 10 years. The investigation, spearheaded by the EPPO, was executed with the support of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Katowice.

This EPPO Katowice indictment serves as a clear demonstration of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office's commitment to safeguarding the financial interests of the European Union. As the EU’s independent public prosecution office, the EPPO is specifically tasked with investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes that affect the EU budget. This case, involving alleged EU Social Fund+ fraud in Poland, falls directly within its critical mandate.

The EPPO Poland EU funds nursery fraud indictment carries significant implications for the integrity of EU funding mechanisms and for entities seeking such subsidies. This case highlights the critical importance of rigorous due diligence on all supporting documentation, especially for property rights and lease agreements, when applying for EU grants. The alleged use of forged lease contracts for EU funds underscores a common vulnerability that fraudsters may exploit.

For legal and compliance professionals advising clients on EU subsidy applications, particularly for social programs like the Maluch+ program fraud attempt, this incident serves as a stark reminder. Ensuring the authenticity and validity of all submitted documents is paramount to mitigate fraud risks and avoid potential criminal charges. The EPPO's proactive enforcement sends a strong message that attempts to defraud EU budgets will be met with serious legal consequences, reinforcing the need for transparency and honesty in all funding applications for Poland nursery subsidies.

This indictment by the EPPO underscores heightened scrutiny and active enforcement against fraud targeting EU funds in Poland. Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients on EU subsidy applications, particularly for social programs, must ensure rigorous due diligence on supporting documentation like property rights and lease agreements to mitigate fraud risks and potential criminal charges.

Source: Original reporting via European Public Prosecutor's Office