EPPO Poland: Arrests Made in EU IT Training Fraud

• Two suspects were detained in Poland following an EPPO investigation into alleged subsidy fraud related to EU-funded IT training for older people.
• The suspects, representatives of a training company, allegedly offered "donations" to participants to cover mandatory fees, creating a false impression of self-payment to secure EU funds.
• The training programs, co-financed by the European Social Fund, were conducted between December 2024 and June 2025 under the oversight of the Łódź Marshal's Office.
• The company received approximately €10,000 but had a request for over €300,000 put on hold due to concerns over participant recruitment.
• The suspects were released under police supervision and required to provide financial guarantees, while the investigation continues.

The EPPO's intervention signals a clear message that deceptive practices designed to circumvent funding rules will face rigorous scrutiny.

Two individuals, identified as representatives of a company providing training courses, were recently detained in Poland following an investigation initiated by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Katowice. The arrests, which occurred on a Monday, are part of a probe into alleged subsidy fraud and attempted subsidy fraud related to EU-funded IT training programs designed for older people. The training, which aimed to enhance computer and internet safety skills, including online security awareness, was conducted between December 2024 and June 2025.

The core of the alleged scheme involved manipulating participant contributions for these training sessions. The programs were co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. According to regulations set by the Łódź Marshal's Office, which served as the paying agency, participants were required to pay a fee. However, the suspects are accused of offering prospective attendees tablets and providing "donations" equivalent to the required fee. Participants then used these funds to pay their registration, creating a misleading impression that they had covered the costs themselves, while the suspects had effectively supplied the money. This method allegedly defrauded the paying agency to secure EU funding.

The company had already received approximately €10,000 (PLN 46,800) from the paying agency. They had also submitted requests for payment exceeding €300,000 (PLN 1,311,550) for completed training sessions. However, these larger payments were put on hold after the financing authority became aware of the unusual participant recruitment methods employed by the company.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office, an independent body responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against the financial interests of the European Union, spearheaded this particular inquiry into EPPO Poland EU IT training fraud. Following their request, the two individuals were formally charged with both subsidy fraud and attempted subsidy fraud. While detained initially, they were subsequently released from custody.

As part of their release conditions, both suspects have been placed under police supervision. Additionally, they were each required to provide a financial guarantee: one for €16,200 (PLN 70,000) and the other for €4,700 (PLN 20,000). The investigative actions, including searches of the suspects' residences and the seizure of documentation and IT devices, were carried out by the Provincial Police Headquarters in Łódź. It is important to note that, in accordance with Polish law, all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a competent court.

This case underscores the increasing vigilance of the European Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the proper use of EU funds, particularly in Poland. The alleged manipulation of participant fees in this IT training for seniors highlights a specific vulnerability in grant programs where co-financing from beneficiaries is a requirement. The EPPO's intervention signals a clear message that deceptive practices designed to circumvent funding rules will face rigorous scrutiny.

The incident serves as a critical reminder for all entities involved in EU-funded projects, especially those operating in Poland, to ensure absolute transparency and strict adherence to financial regulations. The focus on how participant contributions are managed, and the swift action taken by the EPPO and Polish authorities, indicates a low tolerance for any scheme that misrepresents the financial realities of project execution. This vigilance is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the European Social Fund and other EU financial instruments aimed at supporting vital community initiatives.

This case signals increased scrutiny by the EPPO on EU-funded projects in Poland, particularly regarding the proper accounting of participant contributions and the prevention of deceptive practices to secure funds. Compliance officers and legal counsel advising entities receiving EU grants should review their internal controls and participant recruitment processes to avoid similar fraud allegations.

Source: Original reporting via EPPO press release