Romanian prosecutors on Friday, September 4, 2026, officially indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges of trafficking minors, sex with a minor, money laundering, and witness tampering. His brother, Tristan Tate, was also indicted on charges of complicity. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), Romania's anti-organized crime agency, alleged that the brothers recruited victims by feigning romantic interest to coerce them into producing pornographic material for an online webcam business.
The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship, were first arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. While they were previously indicted in 2023 on human trafficking and rape charges, a Bucharest court returned that case to prosecutors in late 2024 due to legal and procedural irregularities. The brothers are currently being held in Miami, Florida, after being arrested by U.S. Marshals in late July 2026 on a sealed warrant from the United Kingdom.
DIICOT alleges that in 2012, the brothers recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England, and transported her to Romania, where she was exploited through a webcam business. Prosecutors claim the brothers kept approximately $1.25 million, or 80%, of the income generated by the victim. Additionally, Andrew Tate is accused of having sexual acts with another 15-year-old victim between late 2020 and mid-2021. The brothers have denied all allegations, with Andrew Tate claiming the charges are part of a political conspiracy.
The indictments follow multi-year legal proceedings involving Andrew and Tristan Tate. The case specifically affects the alleged victims, including minors who DIICOT claims were recruited as young as age 15.
The scale of the financial allegations involves more than $1.25 million in webcam earnings and nearly $1 million in luxury assets. Specifically, prosecutors alleged the brothers attempted to launder funds by purchasing four luxury cars worth approximately 825,000 euros ($957,000) between December 2023 and July 2024. Romanian authorities have previously seized 29 assets totaling almost $4 million, including 15 cars and more than 10 properties. If convicted, these assets would be forfeited to the Romanian state to pay damages to victims.
For the Tate brothers, these charges could lead to a trial in Romania, which may proceed in their absence if they remain in U.S. custody. They are currently fighting extradition from Miami to the United Kingdom, where they face charges including rape and human trafficking. The next steps in Romania involve a preliminary court chamber review of the indictment files to ensure legality. While this review is legally intended to take 60 days, Romanian officials noted that such proceedings often take significantly longer before a trial officially begins.