A Spanish citizen was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for impersonating a service provider to the EU mission in Somalia, in order to fraudulently obtain funds, following an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain).
At issue are funds allocated to the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), mandated to assist Federal Somali Police Force and Somali authorities to enhance law enforcement capabilities and strengthening maritime security.
On 27 December 2022, the individual, impersonating a service provider of medical and laboratory equipment to the EU mission, sent an email requesting that the next transfer of funds be made to a different bank account – one that he controlled. He had obtained the information that allowed him to perpetrate the fraud from an unknown third party. In this manner, he was able to fraudulently obtain €69 751.40, transferred to the bank account he controlled on 9 January 2023.
In addition to the prison sentence, the Criminal Chamber Two of the Audiencia Nacional also ordered the defendant to pay a fine of a daily rate of 10€ for 10 months. He was also held civilly liable and was ordered to reimburse the amount of funds that that he obtained illegally.
The verdict, issued on 9 February 2026, marks the first conviction in a Criminal Chamber of the Audiencia Nacional, following an investigation by the EPPO in Madrid, and is still subject to appeal.
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.
