The individuals arrested in the Bergen area of Norway are charged with aggravated fraud against the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), or aiding and abetting such fraud. The fraud is alleged to have taken place through the over-invoicing of the NSPA for services provided to NATO ships in Norwegian ports between 2021 and 2025. The charge relates to over-invoicing amounting to over 1 million euros.
Økokrim has also carried out a number of searches in the Bergen area in connection with the operation, to secure evidence.
– Defence sector budgets are increasing worldwide, which entails an increased risk of economic crime. This is an area we are monitoring closely. If NATO has been defrauded, there will be a tough crackdown, says Marianne Bender, Senior Public Prosecutor at Økokrim.
Searches also carried out in Romania and Germany
At the same time as the operation in Bergen, Romanian and German police have carried out searches of several companies in Romania and Germany linked to the same serious fraud. This coordinated international police operation has been facilitated through Eurojust.
– Eurojust has provided assistance to the various countries involved in this case, and has made it easier and more efficient to carry out a simultaneous police operation in Bergen whilst searches are taking place in Romania and Germany. Using Eurojust makes international investigative work easier and faster, says Bender.
The investigation into the case is at an early stage.
– It will take time to investigate this case as the charges cover several years and involve a very large number of ship calls, says Bender.
Økokrim and NATO have entered into an agreement to share information
In connection with the investigation into this case, Økokrim has been working closely with NATO.
– Økokrim has entered into an agreement with the NSPA to share information between Økokrim and NATO. The agreement will also apply in future, which means that Økokrim and NATO will share information to a greater extent going forward with the aim of preventing and detecting economic crime directed at NATO, says Bender.