Two indicted in France over suspected €240,000 ERASMUS+ funding fraud

27 August 2026 , 20:56

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Two indicted in France over suspected €240,000 ERASMUS+ funding fraud

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Paris (France) has filed an indictment before the Paris Criminal Court against two individuals residing in Germany and Switzerland following an investigation into suspected subsidy fraud of €240 000 in ERASMUS+ funding.

The investigation concerns an educational project related to children’s literacy for which a French non-profit organisation, headed by the two suspects, received €240 000 under the ERASMUS+ programme between 2016 and 2019. The project was financed through a grant awarded by the French ERASMUS+ agency.

According to the investigation, the suspects are believed to have used the non-profit organisation to obtain EU funding while failing to comply with the conditions of the grant agreement. The organisation is suspected of having lacked the operational capacity required to implement the project, while one of the suspects allegedly submitted falsified supporting documents to the French ERASMUS+ agency.

The investigation, supported by the French Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF), further established that the educational activities financed under the project were not implemented as required under the grant agreement. Evidence gathered shows that part of the EU funding was misappropriated and that one of the suspects subsequently laundered part of the proceeds.

If convicted, the defendants face sentences of up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to €750 000.

All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent French courts of law.

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

Emma Davis

Deputy Editor