Romania Indicts Andrew Tate, Brother on Trafficking Minors, Money Laundering

Romanian prosecutors formally indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on allegations of trafficking minors, sex with a minor, money laundering, and attempts to influence witnesses.

Both brothers deny wrongdoing and have described the investigations against them as politically motivated. An indictment is an accusation, and the allegations have not been proved at trial. Romania’s organised-crime agency, DIICOT, alleges the brothers recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton in 2012. Prosecutors claim they later obtained more than $1.2 million from her webcam activity after she was repeatedly taken to Romania, deceived through claims of a romantic relationship, and sexually exploited.

DIICOT alleges Tristan knew the girl’s age and assisted the exploitation by misleading her about his brother’s feelings and intentions. The money laundering allegation concerns four luxury cars valued at about €825,000, bought between December 2023 and July 2024. DIICOT states these purchases were intended to conceal the origin of money generated through trafficking and has asked for the vehicles to be confiscated.

Prosecutors also allege victims were paid or intimidated in attempts to persuade them not to give evidence or to make false statements. The indictment file now goes to a preliminary chamber, where a judge will examine the legality of the investigation and the admissibility of evidence. The Tate brothers are currently in a Miami jail fighting extradition to the UK over separate charges involving rape and sex trafficking.