Once considered the richest man in Moldova and one of its most influential politicians, Vlad Plahotniuc was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his involvement in the country’s infamous $1 billion financial fraud scandal, which is referred to as the “theft of the century.”
The decision was made on Wednesday in Moldova, where Plahotniuc was charged by the prosecution with assisting in the planning of the 2014–2015 scam that depleted 12% of the nation’s GDP.
Plahotniuc was found guilty by the court of participating in the scam, which involved the transfer of loans totaling $1 billion (£748 million) within two days via a network of unidentified firms registered in Hong Kong and the UK.
He was compelled to pay the state roughly $60 million (£44 million) in damages after it was alleged that he had personally received over $40 million from the scheme.
During the sentencing, Plahotniuc, who has denied any misconduct, did not appear in court. He would appeal the decision, according to his attorney.
Prosecutors claimed to have proof that Plahotniuc used the pilfered money for personal costs, such as buying an Embraer Legacy 650 aircraft, purchasing real estate, paying for legal and medical services, traveling, and making business investments, according to Reuters.
The government of Moldova was compelled by the scandal to save the impacted banks, safeguarding depositors but creating a deficit in public funds equal to one-eighth of the nation’s GDP.
Many of the lost funds wound up in businesses connected to pro-Russian tycoon Ilan Shor, according to a later probe.
Despite not being charged right away, Plahotniuc was scrutinized in 2019 due to accusations of corruption and left Moldova when his Democratic Party lost power.
Plahotniuc was detained in Athens in July 2025 while traveling to Dubai after living abroad for six years. Later, he was extradited to Moldova to stand trial.
