Romanian prosecutors have formally charged social media influencer Andrew Tate with trafficking minors, money laundering, engaging in sexual activities with a minor, and tampering with witnesses. His brother Tristan has been charged with complicity in the crimes. The Tate brothers, former kickboxers holding dual U.S. and British citizenship, were apprehended in Miami in late July following a request for extradition from Britain.
Since 2017, the brothers have primarily resided in Romania and have been the subjects of a criminal investigation in the country since December 2022, facing allegations that include human trafficking. Despite the accusations, they have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
According to Romanian prosecutors, the Tates enticed their victims by feigning romantic interest or the promise of marriage, only to coerce them into creating pornographic content for a webcam enterprise. In response to the indictment, the Tates’ Romanian attorney, Eugen Vidineac, stated that they plan to scrutinize every aspect of the charges and challenge any deficiencies through the appropriate legal channels. The Tates maintain their innocence.
Currently detained in the U.S., the Tate brothers await a decision on their extradition to the UK, where they are wanted on charges related to rape. The Romanian anti-organized crime prosecuting unit, DIICOT, overseeing the investigation, has not confirmed whether they will seek the brothers’ extradition from the United States.
While the Tates can be prosecuted in absentia in Romania, the trial proceedings will not commence immediately. Under Romanian law, the indictment will be reviewed by a preliminary court chamber judge to ensure legal compliance, a process that typically extends beyond the stipulated 60-day period.
DIICOT disclosed that one of Andrew Tate’s victims was initially seduced at the age of 15 in the UK in 2012 before being moved to Bucharest, Romania, where she was coerced into producing pornographic content through physical and mental manipulation. Tristan, as per the unit, played a role by using physical force to exploit the victim.
Prosecutors allege that the brothers retained $1.25 million USD from the victim’s video chat earnings, constituting approximately 80% of her total income, which they attempted to launder through the purchase of luxury vehicles. While previously indicted on human trafficking charges in Romania, the case against the Tate brothers was sent back to prosecutors by the Bucharest court of appeals in late 2024 due to the exclusion of certain evidence.
Andrew Tate, known for his misogynistic views, had mentioned relocating to Romania due to perceived leniency in law enforcement. Both brothers have cultivated a substantial following, particularly among young men, by portraying a lavish and hyper-masculine lifestyle characterized by fast cars and relationships with attractive women.