Prosecutors in Romania have officially brought new charges against Andrew Tate for several offenses including money laundering, child trafficking, sexual relations with a minor, and witness tampering. The social media influencer’s brother, Tristan Tate, was also charged with complicity in the aforementioned offenses. The charges, brought by Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, were finalized after a lengthy investigation.
Romanian prosecutors allege Tate was trafficking minors
In December 2022, the Tate brothers were arrested in Romania. Following an initial human trafficking indictment, the matter was sent to court in 2023. However, in 2024, a Romanian judge said the indictment was unsound and the matter was returned to prosecutors.
According to reports, Andrew Tate recruited a 15-year-old girl in 2012. The minor was lured into a relationship and later trafficked. She was coerced into posing for pornographic material for online video chat rooms. This method, dubbed, the “loverboy” works by manipulating young, impressionable women into a system of control and exploitation.
In addition, charges of financial exploitation involve the laundering of approximately $1.25 million. This was done through the purchase of luxury goods including vehicles. DIICOT is presently in the process of confiscating four luxury vehicles in Andrew Tate’s possession, valued at approximately €825,000.
Minor Trafficking and other charges
The more than 300 pages of DIICOT investigation files comprise voice notes, Telegram chats and WhatsApp messages. The investigation reveals that Andrew Tate was not a passive investor in the adult webcam operation, but managed the entire operation.
WhatsApp chats indicate that Andrew initially built a relationship of trust with his victims through romantic gestures and affectionate language. Once the victims trusted him enough to move into his compound, he forced them to produce pornographic content. The witness tampering charges also indicate that Andrew Tate attempted to coordinate a narrative among co-accused individuals.
Andrew Tate faces Multiple legal battles
The brothers are currently held in federal custody in the United States. In early 2025, after seeking Romanian court’s permission, the brothers travelled to Miami. On July 18, 2026, they were arrested by US Marshals under an extradition warrant issued by British authorities.
The US justice system currently faces a complex dilemma. The Great Britain already holds an active warrant against the Tate brothers. The Crown Prosecution has charged Andrew Tate with 21 criminal charges. The charges in the new Romanian indictment could lead to Romanian authorities issuing a European Arrest Warrant seeking to bring the Tate brothers back.
In Romania, the case has moved to the Bucharest Tribunal for judicial review. Tristan Tate’s matter will also be heard separately on September 10, 2026, regarding battery allegations. Eugen Constantin Vidineac, a Romanian attorney, said the Tate brother’s ongoing detention in Florida posed considerable challenges to the trial.
