TikTok Influencers Leave Romania Amid Tax Investigation Tied to Election Involvement

“The investigation will also explore any possible connections between these payments and a specific candidate in Romania’s presidential election,” stated Toni Greblă, the head of Romania’s electoral office, regarding the ongoing tax probes.

A central figure in the case is Bogdan Peșchir, who is accused of investing €1 million to fund influencers on TikTok. Authorities conducted raids at three locations linked to Peșchir last week, confiscating $7 million in cryptocurrency as part of their investigation.

As revelations about Călin Georgescu’s background emerged following the first round of the election, several influencers began to distance themselves from his campaign. After classified intelligence documents surfaced, some influencers admitted they had been paid to promote Georgescu. However, they claimed they were unaware of who the candidate was until after the first round of voting.

Georgescu, an independent candidate largely unknown within Romania prior to winning the first round of the presidential election, openly championed pro-Russian views throughout his campaign. While he officially reported zero campaign expenses, intelligence documents indicate that TikTok influencers were instrumental in a covert, multi-million-euro operation to amplify his messaging. Authorities allege that this effort is tied to Russian “hybrid attacks” aimed at disrupting Romania’s electoral process.

In response, the European Commission last week instructed TikTok to preserve data connected to potential risks during Romania’s elections as well as the upcoming EU elections, amid mounting concerns of foreign interference and disinformation.

Experts note striking similarities between the Romanian case and a disinformation campaign in Moldova during its presidential election and an EU accession referendum. In both instances, Russia-linked operations relied on comparable strategies to influence voters toward pro-Moscow candidates.

These financial investigations are progressing in parallel with other criminal probes led by prosecutors in connection to the election.