Norway Arrests Five in €1M NATO Ship Contract Fraud Probe
Authorities suspect overcharging and bribery in contracts for shore-based services to NATO vessels.
The case, which allegedly involved overcharging and bribery, spans multiple countries and has prompted searches in Germany and Romania.
The investigation, led by Norway’s economic crime authority Økokrim, centres on a company accused of submitting false invoices for shore-based services to NATO vessels and their crews during port visits in north-western Europe. The contracts under scrutiny are linked to the NATO Support and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) (NSPA), which facilitates defence equipment and support services for the alliance’s 32 member countries.
Authorities suspect the scheme ran from 2021 to 2025, with the company allegedly overcharging the NSPA for services provided to NATO ships docking in Norwegian ports, including Bergen. The fraud is estimated to have caused losses of around $1.1 million (around €1 million), though the full extent remains under investigation. The company, which has not been named, is also accused of using intermediaries to bribe public officials in exchange for favourable treatment.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cross-Border Investigation and NATO’s Response
The probe, which began in April 2025, involves cooperation between authorities in Norway, Germany, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Searches were conducted at the company’s premises in Romania, as well as at several homes and businesses in Germany. The five individuals arrested in the Bergen area face charges of aggravated fraud against the NSPA or aiding in the alleged scheme.
The NSPA has been proactive in addressing fraud risks within NATO procurement. In 2023, the agency established an investigative capability, later formalised as an Office of Investigations, to detect and combat corruption in defence contracts.
“Rising defence budgets worldwide also increased the risk of economic crime.”
Marianne Bender·Senior Public Prosecutor at Økokrim
NATO, which does not own military equipment as an organisation, relies on procurement arrangements with member countries to obtain ships, weapons, and support services. The NSPA plays a critical role in this process, providing shore-based logistics for warships and their crews during port visits. The case under investigation involves a large number of ship calls over several years, though authorities have not disclosed the total value of the contracts involved.
La Oficina de Investigaciones de la NSPA continuará analizando los contratos vinculados a las escalas navales en el marco del plazo establecido por las autoridades judiciales noruegas. El proceso avanzará según los plazos ya comunicados por el fiscal senior Marianne Bender, sin perjuicio de las diligencias adicionales que puedan derivarse.
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