Five individuals were arrested in Norway as part of an international investigation into fraud and bribery related to a company providing port services to NATO ships.
Date and Details of the Arrest Operation
The arrests took place on Wednesday, October 14, along with coordinated searches in Romania and Germany. According to officials, the operation was led by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and involved several judicial entities, including Norway's Economic Crime Agency (Økokrim) and Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate.
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Investigations indicate that this company and its contractors likely submitted fake invoices to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for services related to the care of ships while docked in ports in Northwestern Europe. These services included essential support onshore for the ships and their crews during port visits.
Financial Dimensions and Potential Consequences
Officials estimate that this fraud scheme has caused over one million euros in losses to NATO member countries, although the full extent of the fraud is still under investigation. Additionally, there is evidence that the company used an intermediary to bribe foreign public officials to achieve more favorable terms in its contractual dealings with NSPA.
The NSPA, as NATO's main logistics and procurement entity, identified suspicious invoices and subsequently collaborated with investigative authorities to provide necessary evidence and information. This investigation also included searches of properties and businesses in Norway and Romania.
In Norway, the coordinated operation resulted in five arrests, and officials also searched residential and commercial properties. In Romania, inspectors searched the company's locations and several homes, while German authorities also searched two businesses and one residence in Hamburg.
The investigation is ongoing, and Eurojust has not disclosed the name of the company or the arrested individuals, stating that it cannot provide further details while the investigation continues.
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