Tax evasion of 50 million lei: six detained by DNA Timișoara in courier platform case
Prosecutors from DNA Timișoara have detained six people for tax evasion, with estimated damages exceeding 50 million lei. A seventh defendant is being sought.
DNA Timișoara case: network of shell companies in online delivery sector, damages exceeding 50 million lei
Six people were detained on 17 June by prosecutors from the National Anti-Corruption Directorate – Timișoara Territorial Service, in a tax evasion case with estimated damages of over 50 million lei, according to G4Media. The 24-hour detention was ordered starting 16 June 2026.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against six defendants with different roles in the scheme: M.D.D. and B.F., administrators of multiple commercial companies, are being investigated for continued tax evasion. M.F.A., L.R.A. and P.G.S., natural persons without special status, are accused of complicity in continued tax evasion. B.V., an accountant and person designated for electronic submission of tax declarations, is charged with the same offence.
On 17 June, defendants M.D.D., M.F.A. and P.G.S. were brought before Timiș Court with a proposal for 30-day preventive arrest.
Seventh defendant sought by authorities
Anti-corruption prosecutors also ordered criminal proceedings to be initiated against L.A.C., administrator of multiple commercial companies, for continued tax evasion. He is to be brought before Timiș Court on 18 June 2026 with a proposal for preventive arrest in absentia, as he is evading criminal prosecution.
How the criminal scheme functioned
According to anti-corruption prosecutors, starting from 2023 and to the present, the defendants allegedly operated dozens of commercial companies active in the field of delivering food products through online platforms. The companies were allegedly initially registered in the names of individuals from L.A.C.'s circle who were in financial difficulties or without valuable assets, who opened bank accounts, obtained cards and configured payment applications.
In reality, the companies were allegedly operated by L.A.C. together with the other defendants, who were the true beneficiaries of the entire scheme.
Revenues from delivery activities were allegedly transferred successively through a chain of transit companies to "shell" type companies, where tax obligations were practically cancelled. Fictitious invoices issued by the intermediary companies were allegedly entered in the accounts of the final beneficiaries, operations carried out with the support of defendant B.V.
Courier salaries were allegedly paid through bank transfers from the accounts of natural persons close to L.A.C., disguised under explanations such as "loan repayment", in order to mask the true nature of transactions.
Daily cash withdrawals of up to 20,000 euros
The defendants allegedly made repeated cash withdrawals from ATMs, in amounts of up to 10,000 lei per day for each card used, reaching the equivalent of approximately 20,000 euros daily. As an example, from nine companies controlled by the defendants, over a period of 21 days, a total sum of 1,337,449 lei was withdrawn through 286 withdrawal operations.
At the same time, the defendants allegedly concealed the taxable source by failing to register and declare couriers to the competent authorities, in order to avoid paying contributions related to a legal employment relationship. During the period in question, thousands of people were identified who allegedly carried out courier activities in this manner, prosecutors claim.
The damage to the state budget is currently estimated at over 50,000,000 lei, representing VAT, taxes and contributions withheld at source — salary taxes and work insurance contribution.
Seizure and property seized
During searches carried out on 16 June 2026 at the defendants' residences, 351,000 lei and 37,050 euros in cash were found and seized, dozens of bank cards and two money counting machines. The items were seized for the purpose of instituting precautionary seizure.
To recover the damages, prosecutors ordered precautionary seizure of bank accounts and immovable property owned by the defendants and the companies controlled by them.
Institutions involved in the investigation
The criminal investigation benefits from the support of the General Anti-Fraud Directorate, the Regional Anti-Fraud Directorate 5 Deva, the National Office for Prevention and Combating Money Laundering, as well as the Special Operations Brigade from the counties of Timiș, Bacău and Oradea. The investigation also includes the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Organised Crime Fighting Brigades from the counties of Timiș, Bacău, Iași, Constanța, Argeș and Caraș-Severin.
Source: G4Media