Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been indicted by DIICOT in a case where they are accused of human trafficking and money laundering. Andrew Tate is also accused of repeated sexual acts with a 15-year-old minor.
At the center of the case is another girl, recruited by Andrew Tate when she was 15 years old and subsequently exploited through webcam modeling, both in the United Kingdom and Romania. According to prosecutors, the two brothers allegedly obtained over $1.25 million from her activities.
DIICOT – Central Structure announced on Friday that, through the indictment of August 31, the two brothers, British citizens aged 39 and 38, have been sent to trial.
Andrew Tate is accused of human trafficking, continuous money laundering, continuous sexual acts with a minor, and influencing statements.
Tristan Tate is accused of complicity in human trafficking, continuous money laundering, and influencing statements.
Recruited at 15 through the "loverboy" method
According to DIICOT, Andrew Tate recruited the victim in 2012 when she was 15 years old, taking advantage of her vulnerability and misleading her about his intention to have a relationship and the existence of genuine feelings of love.
The girl was housed in a building in Luton, United Kingdom, for the purpose of sexual exploitation, prosecutors claim.
After gaining her trust and making her fall in love with him, Andrew Tate allegedly resorted to emotional blackmail, threatening her with abandonment or replacement with another girl if she did not follow his instructions.
DIICOT also mentions constant control and supervision, as well as physical aggression. In this way, the victim was allegedly coerced into participating in pornographic activities for the production and distribution of pornographic materials and engaging in webcam modeling on multiple platforms for Tate's financial benefit.
During the period of exploitation, the girl was repeatedly brought from the United Kingdom to Romania. Prosecutors state that Andrew Tate accommodated her at his residence in Voluntari, in a house in Tunari, and in an apartment in Pipera, providing her with the necessary logistics to continue webcam modeling.
What Role Did Tristan Tate Have
According to investigators, Tristan Tate knew both the victim's age and the fact that she had been recruited by his brother. Between November 2014 and December 2021, he allegedly supported Andrew Tate in the sexual exploitation of the girl in the United Kingdom and Romania.
DIICOT claims that Tristan Tate kept the victim unaware of his brother's feelings and intentions, managed her webcam accounts, monitored her activities, and provided instructions to increase her earnings.
He was also responsible for collecting and managing money, checking her work schedule and financial goals set by Andrew Tate. Prosecutors allege that Tristan Tate also resorted to physical assaults on the victim.
Nearly $1.3 Million
Following the exploitation of the girl, the two brothers allegedly obtained $1,251,833.30, representing approximately 80% of the income generated from her webcam activities.
However, the case also involves a second minor victim. DIICOT claims that between December 2020 and mid-2021, Andrew Tate engaged in repeated sexual relations and acts with another 15-year-old girl at his residence and another location in Ilfov County.
Accusations of Attempting to Influence Statements
Prosecutors accuse the two brothers of attempting to prevent individuals involved in the case from giving statements or lying to investigators.
In Andrew Tate's case, the actions allegedly took place between December 2023 and January 2024. He promised a victim €5,000, of which he actually gave her €2,500, as well as a mobile phone and legal assistance through his own lawyers.
Tristan Tate is accused of attempting to influence a witness in October 2023 through intimidating actions and offering benefits.
According to DIICOT, these included money and a phone, €3,000 for transportation and accommodation in Bucharest, as well as legal assistance.
Four Luxury Cars and Money Laundering Accusations
Another part of the case concerns money that prosecutors allege comes from criminal activities.
Between December 2023 and July 2024, the Tate brothers reportedly bought four cars and registered them under the names of trusted individuals for the purpose of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the money.
The cars were purchased for 1,249,924 lei, 1,099,924 lei, 649,924 lei, and 225,000 euros.
DIICOT has requested the special confiscation of the four luxury cars, whose total value is estimated at €825,000.
Prosecutors also seek the confiscation of the equivalent of $1,251,833.30 allegedly obtained through the sexual exploitation of the minor victim, as well as the extended confiscation of other assets owned or possessed by the two brothers for which precautionary seizure has been requested.
Additionally, DIICOT requests that the two brothers be obliged to pay 122,168.51 lei, representing court expenses advanced by the state.
The case has been sent to the Bucharest Tribunal for resolution.
Andrew and Tristan Tate are currently in federal custody in Miami, where they were arrested on July 18 after the UK requested their extradition. The two are challenging extradition and have requested bail during the proceedings, but the court has not yet made a decision.
The Tate brothers have recently complained about the conditions of their detention, with Tristan describing his stay in the American prison as a "slow death." The UK has until September 16 to submit the full extradition request to the US State Department, and the procedure could take several months. The two deny the accusations brought against them.