Detentions in a Subsidy Fraud Investigation
Officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau detained nine individuals in connection with a suspected subsidy fraud scheme under the “Active Toddler 2022–2029” program. The proceedings are supervised by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
On May 12, 2026, officers from the Regional Offices of the CBA in Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, and Lublin detained nine individuals in connection with an investigation into the suspected fraudulent obtaining of subsidies intended for the creation of new nursery places in Gdynia and Gdańsk. Officers also carried out searches to secure documentation and electronic equipment that could constitute evidence in the case. The operations took place in the Pomorskie and Lubelskie provinces.
Investigation Supervised by EPPO
Officers of the Regional Office of the CBA in Gdańsk are conducting preparatory proceedings under the supervision of the Office of the Delegated European Prosecutor at the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw. The investigation concerns activities undertaken between 2024 and 2025 aimed at fraudulently obtaining subsidies for the creation of new nursery places for children under the age of three under the “Active Toddler 2022–2029” program.
Officers found that in September 2024, one of the companies submitted an application to the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office in Gdańsk to establish and run nine nurseries, each with 40 places.
In August 2025, the company submitted applications requesting payment of PLN 282,577.24 for each facility, amounting to approximately PLN 2.5 million in total funding under the “Active Toddler 2022–2029” program. The program is co-financed by the European Social Fund. Shortly thereafter, the office paid out most of the requested funds but suspended the remaining payment after irregularities were detected in the submitted documentation.
The investigation revealed that the company had submitted false and unreliable documents and declarations in order to obtain funding. The evidence gathered showed that the project lacked suitable premises, experienced staff, and the financial resources necessary to create childcare facilities for children under the age of three.
Charges and Preventive Measures
The detained individuals were brought to the Office of the Delegated European Prosecutor at the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, where charges were presented against them.
The prosecutor imposed preventive measures on the suspects in the form of police supervision and a ban on leaving the country.
The paid funds were returned to the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office in Gdańsk.
CBA Press Team
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CBA
