Six individuals and three legal entities face criminal charges over suspected embezzlement of more than €2 million

Following an operation against a group suspected of embezzlement, money laundering and negligent performance of official duties, police filed criminal charges against six individuals and three legal entities. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the unlawful proceeds exceeded 138 million denars, equivalent to approximately €2.26 million.

The operation was conducted on September 2 and 3 by the Department for the Suppression of Organized and Serious Crime, in coordination with the Rapid Response Unit. It was overseen by the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption.

S.S., S.S. and Z.G. were arrested during the operation. Searches carried out at several locations led to the seizure of approximately €27,735, 38,500 denars, 750 Swiss francs and US$100. Several mobile phones and two passenger vehicles were also seized.

The criminal complaint states that S.S., in his capacity as the manager of a legal entity based in Kučevište and authorized to conduct vehicle inspections, compiled and submitted falsified reports on fees collected through vehicle registrations. These actions are suspected to have taken place from January 2021 to January 2026 and, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, enabled the embezzlement of 138,877,419 denars, or approximately €2.26 million.

The investigation also implicated other individuals in the suspected scheme. They include an employee at the vehicle inspection station, two executive members of the board of directors of an insurance brokerage company, and a certified accountant.

According to the investigation, the funds were transferred between the accounts of several legal entities and subsequently mixed with revenue generated through regular business activities. Some of the money is suspected to have been used to purchase real estate.

The case also involves T.M., assistant director of finance at the Public Enterprise for State Roads. Police suspect that he failed to carry out the necessary oversight when verifying the submitted reports and collecting fees. This allegedly enabled the suspects to obtain 48,434,406 denars in unlawful proceeds from road tax.

According to police, the actions caused financial losses to several institutions. The Public Enterprise for State Roads suffered losses of 48.4 million denars, the Red Cross 1.48 million denars, the Ministry of Environment 5.58 million denars, and the state budget and municipalities 83.37 million denars.

Criminal proceedings against the suspects will continue before the competent prosecutor’s office and court.