Romanian prosecutors indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges of trafficking minors, sex with a minor, and money laundering. This development adds another layer to the ongoing legal saga involving the 39-year-old and his brother, 38-year-old Tristan Tate.
As reported by the NY Post, the case centers on allegations from DIICOT, the Romanian anti-organized crime agency, regarding the pair’s business activities. Prosecutors claim that the brothers coerced victims by pretending to be in loving relationships before forcing them to produce pornographic material for an online webcam business.
DIICOT alleges that in 2012, the brothers recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England. They reportedly obtained more than $1.2 million from her webcam activity after she was repeatedly transported to Romania.
They reportedly deceived the minor
The agency further alleges that Tristan Tate knew the victim was a minor and that between 2014 and 2021, he knowingly deceived her about his brother’s “feelings and intentions,” which helped facilitate her sexual exploitation. Regarding Andrew Tate, the indictment claims that between December 2020 and mid-2021, he “repeatedly had sexual intercourse and sexual acts with another minor victim,” who was also 15.
The agency additionally asserts that the Tates tried to influence victims by paying or intimidating them to prevent them from giving statements or to ensure they provided false testimony. Beyond the trafficking and sex-related charges, the brothers face accusations of money laundering.
DIICOT alleges that between December 2023 and July 2024, the Tates tried to “hide or disguise the illicit origin of the money” obtained from human trafficking by purchasing four luxury cars worth about 825,000 euros, or $957,000. Prosecutors have requested that these vehicles be confiscated.
The Tate brothers, who are dual U.S.-British citizens, are known for their massive social media presence where they promote wealth, male dominance, and misogyny. Both brothers have repeatedly denied all allegations against them. Andrew Tate has previously claimed that there is a political conspiracy to silence them. A lawyer for the brothers in Romania did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new indictment.
This legal situation is complex because it stems from an investigation that led to the brothers’ initial arrest in Bucharest in late 2022 and their subsequent 2023 indictment. A court returned that original case to DIICOT in 2024 due to multiple legal and procedural irregularities. While that case reportedly remained open, there was also a separate legal case against them in 2024.
Currently, the situation has expanded beyond Romania. The Tates are reportedly being held in Miami after prosecutors in the United Kingdom requested their extradition on separate sex crimes allegations. During a federal court appearance, the brothers testified that they can’t adequately defend themselves from criminal sex charges if they must remain in a Miami jail while fighting extradition to the U.K.
Published: Sep 4, 2026 02:45 pm