Europe-wide raid dismantles fake medicine network

Authorities from 15 countries have dismantled a criminal network accused of selling fake medicines and supplements for serious illnesses across Europe, EU agency Eurojust said.

Raids carried out on May 12 led to the seizure of large quantities of supplements, the detention of key suspects and the collection of evidence. Investigators believe the group generated at least €240 million in transactions.

Searches were conducted at 113 locations in Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova, according to Kathimerini. In Poland, authorities froze assets worth €1.8 million.

Investigators said the network operated since 2019 through hundreds of websites and social media pages promoting unauthorised supplements under more than 400 different names.

The group allegedly used fake doctors, celebrity images and call centre operators posing as medical specialists to convince victims the products could treat serious or incurable diseases.

Eurojust said the supplements contained similar ingredients and had no proven medical effect.