Child benefit fraud in Bihor: 16 persons investigated for damages of 1.9 million lei

Update

Accountant in Oradea misled the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection for 1.9 million lei

An accountant from Oradea who facilitated the illegal obtaining of child-raising allowances for at least 15 people who were not employed has been placed under judicial control. Investigators identified a network of illegal activities in which 15 individuals obtained a total amount of 1,914,204 lei by presenting false data regarding employment. ^[2]

Operation JUPITER, carried out on November 3, 2026, involved searches at the headquarters of a company in Bihor county, where accounting records for over 15 involved companies were found, and the bringing into custody of a 41-year-old woman. ^[2]

Prosecutors determined that between January 2018 and December 2025, 15 individuals misled the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) Bihor, presenting fictitious salaried activities and income to meet the conditions for granting allowances. ^[2]

The defendant, by profession an accountant, is accused of using her status as partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space of the National Fiscal Administration Agency (ANAF) for 15 commercial companies to facilitate fictitious hires, preparation of documents, and submission of tax declarations, creating the necessary support for the fraud. ^[2]

The Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court ordered provisional seizure of the movable and immovable assets and garnishment of the funds of the defendants to ensure recovery of the damage amounting to 1,914,204 lei. ^[2]

The 41-year-old woman was detained for 24 hours, subsequently being placed under judicial control, while police continued investigations and detained other individuals, including a 40-year-old man from Oradea, also for 24 hours. Investigations have been registered against 6 other individuals, aged between 28 and 40, from Oradea and the communes of Paleu, Gepiu, and Sântandrei. Provisional measures have also been taken over 9 immovable properties (apartments, houses, land) with a total value of 3,982,830 lei, as well as over two immovable properties belonging to the defendant, valued at 1,980,000 lei, to guarantee the recovery of the damage. ^[2]

Update

Treasury official of PNL Bihor investigated in a fraud of nearly 2 million lei. How the scheme allegedly functioned

The Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court opened a criminal file concerning 16 persons under investigation for continuous deception, complicity in deception, and falsification in statements, according to a communique released Thursday by the institution. Investigators claim the fraudulent scheme took place over several years, between January 2018 and December 2025. ^[3]

According to the Prosecutor's Office, '15 individuals misled representatives of the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) Bihor by presenting as true the unreal circumstance that they had conducted salaried activities and generated corresponding income'. The goal of these maneuvers was to meet the legal conditions for awarding child-raising allowances, calculated based on income earned prior to birth. Prosecutors explain that, in reality, the hires were fictitious, and the declared income was never actually obtained. Through this mechanism, the 15 individuals sought unjust patrimonial benefits, consisting in collecting allowances to which they were not entitled. The total fraudulated sum, wrongly paid by AJPIS Bihor from the state budget during the period 2020–2026, amounts to 1,914,204 lei. ^[3]

At the center of this network is Patricia Crina Popa, an accountant who played a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition of allowances based on fictitious salary income. She allegedly used 15 commercial companies in which she held the status of partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space (SPV) of ANAF. According to prosecutors, Popa identified the companies through which those individuals could appear as employees without performing real activities. She handled the preparation of documents necessary for hiring or assisted in their completion, as well as the preparation and submission of tax declarations showing fake income for beneficiaries. ^[3]

The investigation, conducted under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court and police officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Service (SICE) Bihor, culminated on Tuesday, November 3, with the search of a commercial company's headquarters and the execution of an arrest warrant issued for Patricia Popa and a beneficiary. On Tuesday, both individuals were detained for 24 hours. On Wednesday, November 4, prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against the woman for complicity in continuous deception, ordering her placement under judicial control for 60 days. Provisional measures have also been taken over 9 immovable properties (apartments, houses, land) with a total value of 3,982,830 lei, as well as over two immovable properties belonging to the defendant, valued at 1,980,000 lei, to guarantee the recovery of the damage. ^[3]

On Thursday, shortly after being released from the Bihor Police Holders' Center, Popa resigned from her position as treasury official of PNL Bihor. The President of PNL Bihor, Mayor of Oradea, Florin Birta, confirmed to local media that Ms. Popa submitted her resignation from the treasury post. ^[3]

Patricia Crina Popa built a powerful business network but was also active in politics, elected as treasurer of PNL Bihor in 2021, a position she held for at least 5 years. This role facilitated her access to various public structures or funded from public funds. She is listed as a member of the Administrative Council of the Nucet Psychiatric Hospital and as auditor at BRECO, Ecolect Bihor, and the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments of Bihor County. Florin Birta stated that the only entity under the Oradea Local Council where she serves as auditor is the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments. ^[3]

According to the 2024 wealth declaration, Patricia Crina Popa received salaries from no fewer than seven employers, including the Nucet Psychiatric Hospital, BRECO, and the 'Mihai Viteazul' Technical High School in Oradea. The declared salary income totaled 26,424 lei annually, plus 7,000 lei from accounting and fiscal consultancy services, 10,800 lei from rents, and 152,821 lei from sports betting. ^[3]

Patricia Crina Popa is listed as owner of a sole proprietorship (PFA) and as partner in the firm Campyng Baranto SRL, alongside Bekő András, a controversial businessman from Oradea. Bekő András has been a protagonist in several criminal cases related to manipulating tenders of municipalities in Bihor. ^[3]

The firm Campyng Baranto does business with public institutions. Between 2023 and 2025, the company obtained five contracts via direct purchase, totaling nearly 157,000 lei, for catering services, meals, and organization of school trips. In 2025, the company was also awarded tenders for providing hot meals to students in the communes of Tarcea, Curtuișeni, and Șimian. ^[3]

Update

PNL Bihor Treasurer investigated in 2 million lei fraud: 16 persons under investigation

Patricia Crina Popa, PNL Bihor treasurer, has been placed under judicial control for 60 days after being accused of facilitating the illegal obtaining of child-raising allowances for 15 persons. The investigation, led by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court and SICE police, revealed a scheme through which beneficiaries misled the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) by presenting fictitious salaried activities and income. The total damage caused to the state budget amounts to nearly 2 million lei, with the exact sum established at 1,914,204 lei. The 16 suspects are subject to a criminal file for continuous deception, complicity in deception, and falsification in statements. ^[5]

Patricia Crina Popa played a central role in the scheme, using 15 commercial companies in which she held the status of partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space (SPV) of ANAF. Through these firms, she identified the method by which those individuals could appear as employees without performing real activities, creating the necessary documentary support for the fraud. ^[5]

The investigation highlighted how Patricia Crina Popa managed the fraudulent process. She identified the companies through which beneficiaries could appear as fictitious employees, prepared or facilitated the preparation of documents necessary to formalize labor relations, and prepared and submitted tax declarations falsely attesting to earned income. These acts were committed knowing that the situation presented to authorities did not correspond to reality. ^[5]

The suspect created the documentation that allowed the 15 individuals to mislead representatives of AJPIS Bihor. The scenario required beneficiaries to present as true the performance of salaried activities and achievement of corresponding income, essential conditions for granting child-raising allowances, calculated based on previous birth income. In reality, the employment and declared income were non-existent. ^[5]

Patricia Crina Popa's intermediary function consisted in 'preparing or facilitating the preparation of documents necessary to formalize labor relations, as well as preparing and submitting relevant tax declarations'. These documents allowed beneficiaries to formally meet legal conditions, concealing the fictitious nature of their activity. ^[5]

The investigation shows that the economically active population was directly affected by this scheme, as the National Single Health Insurance Fund (FNUASS) was used to cover illegal expenses. ^[5]

The fraud took place over an extended period, between January 2018 and December 2025. During this interval, the 15 individuals obtained a total amount of 1,914,204 lei, money wrongly paid by AJPIS Bihor from the state budget. ^[5]

Prosecutors established that the main objective was obtaining 'unjust patrimonial benefits', consisting in collecting allowances to which the 15 individuals were not entitled. The employments were artificially created, and the declared income was not actually obtained. ^[5]

The value of the damage caused to the state, officially calculated, is 1,914,204 lei. The penal package requested provisional measures to guarantee recovery of these funds. ^[5]

The legal reaction of authorities was firm. Patricia Crina Popa was charged with complicity in continuous deception. Security measures taken against her include placement under judicial control for 60 days and seizure of her assets. ^[5]

Operation JUPITER culminated on Tuesday, November 3, with the search of a commercial company's premises in Bihor and the execution of an arrest warrant issued for Patricia Popa and a beneficiary of the scheme. Both were detained for 24 hours. ^[5]

Prosecutors at the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court decided on Wednesday, November 4, to initiate criminal proceedings against Patricia Crina Popa. She was placed under judicial control for 60 days. ^[5]

For recovery of the damage, the Prosecutor's Office ordered provisional seizure of the movable and immovable assets of the defendants, as well as garnishment of funds held by them. ^[5]

The investigation continues under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court and police officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Service (SICE) Bihor. Additionally, investigations have been registered against 6 other individuals, aged between 28 and 40, from Oradea and the communes of Paleu, Gepiu, and Sântandrei. ^[5]

Patricia Crina Popa has a solid reputation in the public and local political sphere, having been elected PNL Bihor treasurer in 2021 and maintaining this position for at least 5 years. This position facilitated her access to various public structures or funded from public funds. ^[5]

Functions held by Patricia Crina Popa in the public and private sectors include membership in the Administrative Council of the Nucet Psychiatric Hospital and auditor at BRECO, Ecolect Bihor, and the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments of Bihor County. ^[5]

Wealth and interest declarations from 2024 show that Patricia Crina Popa received salaries from no fewer than seven employers: Nucet Psychiatric Hospital, BRECO, 'Mihai Viteazul' Technical High School in Oradea (where she still teaches today), and four private companies (Pretty Car Mobile SRL, Agrosara SRL, Danidia Exim SRL, and Cormos Consulting SRL). The declared salary incomes summed up 26,424 lei annually, plus 7,000 lei from accounting and fiscal consultancy services, 10,800 lei from rents, and 152,821 lei from sports betting. ^[5]

Reported annual incomes included 26,424 lei from salaries, 7,000 lei from services, 10,800 lei from rents, and 152,821 lei from sports betting. ^[5]

Patricia Crina Popa owns a PFA and is partner in the firm Campyng Baranto SRL alongside Bekő András, a controversial businessman. Bekő has been involved in several criminal cases related to manipulating tenders of Bihor municipalities, influencing results so that companies rewarding him with commissions would win. ^[5]

Besides Campyng Baranto, Patricia Crina Popa was partner in Patridor SRL, Joy Activ SRL, and Vio & Jack Speed SRL, all struck off the register. She holds 50% of the capital in Campyng Baranto and is administrator alongside Bekő András. ^[5]

Campyng Baranto does business with public institutions. Between 2023 and 2025, the company obtained five contracts via direct purchase, totaling nearly 157,000 lei, for meal services, catering, and organization of school trips. In 2025, the company was also awarded tenders for supplying hot meals to students in the communes of Tarcea, Curtuișeni, and Șimian. ^[5]

Update

Investigation ORADEA: PNL Bihor Treasurer in the spotlight for a benefit fraud and 16 persons under investigation

The Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court launched Operation JUPITER, a large-scale action that culminated on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with searches and placement under judicial control of Patricia Crina Popa, former treasurer of PNL Bihor. Investigators determined that between January 2018 and December 2025, a network consisting of Patricia Crina Popa and 15 others misled the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) Bihor. The main offender, holding the status of partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space (SPV) of ANAF for 15 commercial companies, facilitated illegal obtaining of child-raising allowances through fictitious hires and presentation of false salary income. ^[4]

Update

PNL Bihor Treasurer investigated in a fraud of nearly 2 million lei

Patricia Crina Popa, treasurer of PNL Bihor, is under investigation in a fraud file where 15 individuals allegedly illegally obtained nearly 2 million lei in child-raising allowances through fictitious hires and unrealistic salary income. The woman was detained and subsequently placed under judicial control for 60 days, according to Mediafax. The Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court announced that 16 persons are under investigation, suspected of continuous deception, complicity in deception, and falsification in statements, the publication Ebihoreanul.ro reports. ^[6]

Investigators claim the fraud unfolded over several years, between January 2018 and December 2025. During this period, 15 individuals misled representatives of the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) Bihor, presenting as true the unreal circumstance that they had conducted salaried activities and generated corresponding income. The aim was to apparently fulfill the legal conditions for awarding child-raising allowances, calculated based on income earned prior to birth. Prosecutors claim the hires were fictitious, and the declared income was not obtained. The 15 individuals sought unjust patrimonial benefits, consisting in collecting allowances to which they were not entitled, succeeding in collecting a total sum of 1,914,204 lei between 2020 and 2026. This money was wrongly paid by AJPIS Bihor from the state budget. ^[6]

Patricia Crina Popa had an important role in the fraud, helping beneficiaries obtain allowances based on fictitious salary income, using 15 commercial companies in which she held the status of partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space (SPV) of ANAF. The woman identified the companies through which those individuals could appear as employees without real activity, handled preparation of documents necessary for hiring, and prepared and submitted tax declarations indicating false existence of income. Popa's actions, knowing the presented situation did not correspond to reality, consisted in preparing or facilitating preparation of documents for formalizing labor relations and transmitting tax declarations. Thus, she created the documentary support through which persons misled AJPIS Bihor. ^[6]

On Tuesday, November 3, investigators searched the premises of a commercial company in Bihor and executed an arrest warrant issued for Patricia Popa and a beneficiary of the scheme. Both were detained for 24 hours. On Wednesday, November 4, prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against the woman for complicity in continuous deception, ordering her placement under judicial control for 60 days. For recovery of the estimated damage of nearly 2 million lei, the Prosecutor's Office ordered provisional seizure of the movable and immovable assets of the defendant, as well as garnishment of funds held by her. The investigation continues under supervision of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court. ^[6]

Patricia Crina Popa built a real web of companies but also got involved in politics, being treasurer of PNL Bihor for at least 5 years, since 2021, when she was elected at the County Conference of the party. This function allowed her access to public structures or funded from public funds, being a member of the Administrative Council of the Nucet Psychiatric Hospital and auditor at BRECO, Ecolect Bihor, and the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments of Bihor County, according to 2024 wealth declarations. The 2024 wealth declaration shows that Popa received salaries from seven employers: Nucet Psychiatric Hospital, BRECO, 'Mihai Viteazul' Technical High School in Oradea (where she still teaches today), and four private companies (Pretty Car Mobile SRL, Agrosara SRL, Danidia Exim SRL, and Cormos Consulting SRL). Declared salary income summed 26,424 lei annually, plus 7,000 lei from accounting and fiscal consultancy services, 10,800 lei from rents, and 152,821 lei from sports betting. ^[6]

Patricia Crina Popa is owner of a PFA and partner in the firm Campyng Baranto SRL, the other companies where she had interests (Patridor SRL, Joy Activ SRL, Vio & Jack Speed SRL) being struck off the register. In Campyng Baranto, Popa holds 50% of the capital and is administrator alongside Bekő András, a controversial businessman from Oradea, involved in criminal cases related to manipulating tenders of Bihor municipalities to win contracts for companies paying him commissions. ^[6]

The firm Campyng Baranto obtained, between 2023 and 2025, five contracts via direct purchase totaling nearly 157,000 lei, for meal services, catering, and school trips. In 2025, the company won tenders for providing hot meals to students in Tarcea, Curtuișeni, and Șimian, but the allocation sparked objections from competitor Select Catering SRL, leading to cancellation of procedures in Tarcea and Curtuișeni by NCSC. ^[6]

On Thursday, after being released from Bihor Police Holders' Center, Popa resigned from her post at the party. 'Ms. Popa appeared today at the PNL Bihor headquarters and submitted her resignation from the position of treasurer,' declared the President of PNL Bihor, Mayor of Oradea, Florin Birta, for Biherianul. Florin Birta specified that the only entity under the Oradea Local Council where Popa is auditor is the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments, other organizations being under CJ Bihor authority, appointments made by board resolution. ^[6]

Update

PNL Bihor Treasurer investigated in a fraud of nearly 2 million lei

PNL Bihor Treasurer, Patricia Crina Popa, is under investigation in a file where 15 individuals allegedly illegally obtained nearly 2 million lei in child-raising allowances through fictitious hires and unrealistic salary income. She was detained and subsequently placed under judicial control. ^[7]

According to a communique released Thursday by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court, in the file processed by prosecutors together with economic crime police of Bihor, 16 persons are under investigation, suspected of continuous deception, complicity in deception, and falsification in statements, the publication Bihoreanul reports, according to Mediafax. ^[7]

Investigators claim the fraud unfolded over several years, in the period January 2018 - December 2025. During this interval, '15 individuals misled representatives of the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection Bihor, by presenting as true the unreal circumstance that they had conducted salaried activities and generated corresponding income,' states the Prosecutor's Office communique. ^[7]

The goal was that they would apparently fulfill the legal conditions for awarding child-raising allowances, calculated based on income earned prior to birth. In reality, prosecutors claim, the hires were fictitious, and the declared income was not obtained. ^[7]

Through this mechanism, the 15 individuals sought 'obtaining unjust patrimonial benefits, consisting in collecting allowances to which they were not entitled,' succeeding in collecting a total sum of 1,914,204 lei during the period 2020 - 2026, money wrongly paid by AJPIS Bihor from the state budget, according to the Prosecutor's Office communique. ^[7]

According to prosecutors, Patricia Crina Popa had an important role in this fraud, helping the 15 beneficiaries obtain child-raising allowances based on fictitious salary income. For this, she allegedly used 15 commercial companies in which she held the status of partner, administrator, or representative in the Virtual Private Space (SPV) of ANAF. ^[7]

Specifically, the woman identified the companies through which those individuals could appear as employees, without performing salaried activities in reality. She also handled preparation of documents necessary for hiring or helped in their completion, as well as preparation and submission of tax declarations showing falsely that beneficiaries earned income. ^[7]

According to the Prosecutor's Office communique, she acted 'knowing that the situation presented to the authority did not correspond to reality', through 'preparing or facilitating preparation of documents necessary to formalize labor relations, as well as preparing and submitting relevant tax declarations'. In this way, Patricia Crina Popa created 'the documentary support through which persons involved misled representatives of the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection Bihor'. ^[7]

On Tuesday, November 3, investigators searched the premises of a commercial company in Bihor and executed an arrest warrant issued for Patricia Popa; on the same day, she was detained for 24 hours, along with one of the fraud beneficiaries. ^[7]

On Wednesday, November 4, prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against the woman for complicity in continuous deception and ordered her placement under judicial control for 60 days. ^[7]

Also, for recovery of the damage estimated at nearly 2 million lei, the Prosecutor's Office ordered provisional seizure of the movable and immovable assets of the defendant, as well as garnishment of funds held by her. ^[7]

The investigation continues under supervision of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the Oradea Court. ^[7]

Patricia Crina Popa built a real spiderweb of companies but also got involved in politics, being at least 5 years PNL Bihor treasurer since 2021, a function in which she was elected at the County Conference of the party. ^[7]

In this way, she gained entry into several public structures or funded from public money, being a member of the Administrative Council of the Nucet Psychiatric Hospital and auditor at BRECO, Ecolect Bihor, and the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments of Bihor County, according to 2024 wealth and interest declarations. ^[7]

Nor was the list of her income sources short. According to the 2024 wealth declaration, pertaining to the previous year, she received salaries from no fewer than seven employers: Nucet Psychiatric Hospital, BRECO, 'Mihai Viteazul' Technical High School in Oradea (where she still teaches today), and four private companies, Pretty Car Mobile SRL, Agrosara SRL, Danidia Exim SRL, and Cormos Consulting SRL. In total, declared salary income summed 26,424 lei annually, plus 7,000 lei from accounting and fiscal consultancy services, 10,000 lei from rents, and 152,821 lei from sports betting. ^[7]

Presently, Patricia Crina Popa is listed as holder of a PFA bearing her name and as partner in the firm Campyng Baranto SRL, the other companies where she had interests (Patridor SRL, Joy Activ SRL, Vio & Jack Speed SRL) being struck off the register. ^[7]

In Campyng Baranto, the liberal holds 50% of the capital and is administrator alongside Bekő András, controversial Oradea businessman, protagonist in several criminal cases over the years because, along with other consultants, he 'rigged' tenders of Bihor municipalities so that companies rewarding him with commissions would win. So far, lawsuits brought against Bekő have ended in acquittals for some accusations and discontinuation of penal proceedings for others, due to statute of limitations. ^[7]

The firm also does business with public institutions. According to data in the public procurement system, the company obtained, between 2023 and 2025, five contracts via direct purchase, totaling nearly 157,000 lei, for meal services, catering, and organization of school trips. ^[7]

In 2025, the company was also awarded tenders for providing hot meals to students in the communes of Tarcea, Curtuișeni, and Șimian, but allocation of contracts sparked objections. Competing firm Select Catering SRL complained about irregularities in offer evaluation and questioned Campyng Baranto's capacity to deliver thousands of food portions simultaneously. The National Council for Resolution of Objections ordered cancellation of procedures in Tarcea and Curtuișeni. ^[7]

On Thursday, shortly after being released from Bihor Police Holders' Center, Popa resigned from her post at the party. ^[7]

'Ms. Popa appeared today at the PNL Bihor headquarters and submitted her resignation from the position of treasurer' ^[7]

Asked by Bihoreanul how Patricia Silaghi came to occupy multiple functions in structures under local and county administration, the Mayor of Oradea specified that the only entity under the Oradea Local Council where she is auditor is the Foundation for Protection of Historic Monuments of Bihor County, other organizations being under CJ Bihor authority. Birta explained that appointment was made by resolution of the foundation's board, Patricia Popa being appointed on behalf of CJ Bihor. ^[7]