NATO Ship Supply Fraud: Five Arrested in €1m Bribery Scheme
A four-year scheme involving over-invoicing and bribery for NATO ship contracts has led to arrests in Norway, Germany.
A coordinated crackdown on corruption within NATO supply chains has led to the arrest of five individuals in Norway, uncovering a four-year scheme of fraud and bribery that siphoned over €1 million ($1.12 million) from the alliance’s procurement agency. The investigation, spanning multiple European countries, targeted fraudulent invoicing and bribes paid to secure contracts for supporting NATO warships.
Norwegian authorities, working with Eurojust and law enforcement agencies in Germany, Romania, and the United Kingdom, conducted simultaneous raids on Wednesday in Bergen, Germany, and Romania. The operation focused on homes and businesses linked to the alleged fraud. In Bergen, five suspects were detained and charged with aggravated fraud against the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) or assisting in such crimes.
Scope of the Fraud and Investigation Challenges
The scheme, active between 2021 and 2025, involved overcharging NSPA for services provided to NATO vessels in Norwegian ports, including Bergen. According to Eurojust, the fraud also included bribes paid to foreign officials through intermediaries to gain favorable treatment in NSPA contracts.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Marianne Bender, Senior Public Prosecutor at Norway’s Økokrim, highlighted the complexity of the case, noting that “defence sector budgets are increasing worldwide, which entails an increased risk of economic crime.” She added that the investigation would require significant time due to the scheme’s duration and the high volume of ship visits involved.
The NSPA, responsible for logistical support to NATO’s military operations, confirmed that the fraud targeted its husbandry services, shore-based assistance for warships during port calls. The agency revealed that earlier law enforcement actions in 2024 and 2025 were connected to the same probe, though details remain undisclosed.
NATO’s Anti-Corruption Measures
In response to growing threats of fraud, NSPA established an Office of Investigations in 2023, designed to detect and prevent corruption in procurement processes. The agency described the current case as evidence of its strengthened capabilities, stating that “while it is disheartening to unearth evidence of corrupt practices, these law enforcement actions reflect an investigations system that produces results.” Officials emphasized that the case demonstrates the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in safeguarding NATO’s financial integrity.
The investigation, launched in April 2025, remains ongoing. Authorities warned that the case’s complexity, spanning multiple years and jurisdictions, will demand extensive collaboration to fully expose the fraud and hold all responsible parties accountable.
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