(Luxembourg, 24 June 2026) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Katowice (Poland), law enforcement authorities detained two suspects on Monday, as part of an investigation into possible fraud involving funds under the Clean Air Programme, with an estimated damage of €795 000 (PLN 3 420 614.77). Of this amount, €628 000 (PLN 2 700 440) concerned EU funds.
One of the suspects is the representative of two companies involved in implementing projects under the Clean Air Programme – a Polish government scheme that provides funding to homeowners to replace polluting heating systems and improve energy efficiency in residential buildings, co-funded by the EU. The other suspect acted as an agent for those companies, helping them find homeowners interested in receiving EU funding under the Clean Air Programme. This suspect also served as the representative of the homeowners who signed contracts with those companies for the provision of services and works subsidised under the Clean Air Programme.
In the period from April 2023 to January 2025, the two suspects, acting together, are alleged to have deliberately misled over 40 homeowners, as well as the authority managing the funds, the Provincial Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Katowice, Łódź and Opole. According to the investigation, the works for which the funds were granted were not carried out, or, in some cases, were only executed partially. It is understood that the funds were used for the suspects’ personal benefit.
As a result, the managing authority and the homeowners suffered substantial financial damage.
The suspects’ homes were searched. Digital evidence was secured. After being questioned, the suspects were released and placed under police supervision. They were also requested to provide a financial guarantee.
The investigation is being carried out with the support of the District Police Headquarters in Namysłów (Komenda Powiatowa Policji w Namysłowie). The searches were also supported by the Provincial Police Headquarters in Opole (Komenda Wojewódzka Policji w Opolu).
This case is one of multiple others under investigation by the EPPO involving the Clean Air Programme.
Source: eppo.europa.eu
