Lithuanian authorities uncover fake young farmer scheme defrauding EU of over €560,000

Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) has exposed a large-scale fraud scheme in which 22 individuals illegally obtained over €560,000 in EU agricultural subsidies by posing as young farmers, LRT reports.

Four organisers of the scheme have already been convicted, each fined €150,000, while the remaining participants admitted guilt and received suspended sentences. The total attempted fraud exceeded €670,000, with €110,000 thwarted during the investigation.

According to Daugilas Razauskas, head of the FNTT’s Special Investigations Division, the group fabricated documents and simulated fake farming activities to deceive institutions distributing EU funds. The probe, launched in 2022, involved over 50 searches across Lithuania, yielding critical evidence.

Vytautas Kukaitis, a European delegated prosecutor, confirmed that all 22 participants—who admitted involvement—were granted leniency under plea agreements. The case was resolved through simplified criminal proceedings.