The government has allocated money for the transfer to other centers of people in illegal asylums in Bihor

In a major crackdown on organized crime, Romanian authorities have dismantled an illegal network of shelters operating under the leadership of Viorel Pașca, a man from Bihor county. The operation, conducted by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), involved dozens of searches carried out over the course of Tuesday. According to prosecutors, this network has been exploiting vulnerable individuals for years, using them to generate significant financial gains while providing inadequate care and maintaining their dependence.

The investigation into Pașca's activities began after an independent inquiry by "Pacient în România" revealed that he was housing hundreds of people without proper authorization in his homes. These individuals were reportedly sent to him by state institutions such as hospitals and police. Despite the lack of legal credentials, Pașca operated under the guise of a charitable association known as Asociația Dumbrava - Dumnezeu Poartă de Grijă, which gave the appearance of legitimacy to his operations.

Prosecutors allege that Pașca’s group, formed around 2020 and comprising four main suspects supported by seven others, systematically exploited people with mental disabilities who could not defend themselves or express their will. They maintained these individuals in a state of dependency and servitude, without ensuring even the most basic conditions for their physical and psychological well-being. This included failing to provide consistent medical treatment, neglecting supervision, and using unqualified personnel to manage their care.

According to DIICOT, the victims did not receive adequate medical attention, were not constantly monitored, and were often given medication inappropriately or inconsistently. Some individuals who died under the group’s care were buried near a Greek-Catholic cemetery, with the funeral expenses collected by the organization itself. This exploitation extended beyond direct care, as the group allegedly induced donors and other interested parties into believing they were contributing to legitimate social services when, in reality, the funds were being diverted for the benefit of the criminal enterprise.

The financial impact of this scheme is estimated to be substantial. Prosecutors claim that the amount of money illegally obtained from donations, sponsorships, contributions, pensions, disability benefits, and social assistance amounts to approximately 13 million lei. This figure represents the total of funds that were misused and redirected away from their intended purposes, highlighting the scale of the fraud committed against both the victims and the public at large.

The operation also uncovered evidence suggesting that some deaths had been concealed, with bodies secretly buried and funeral costs collected by the organization. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the case, indicating not just exploitation but also potential obstruction of justice through the concealment of fatalities. The involvement of state institutions in sending individuals to Pașca’s facilities raises further questions about oversight and accountability within the system meant to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

Authorities have now launched a formal investigation into the formation of an organized criminal group, trafficking in persons, and complicity in trafficking. The search warrants executed in Bihor targeted both private residences and public institutions, reflecting the broad scope of the alleged criminal activity. With the exposure of this network, there is growing pressure on government agencies to review how such situations can occur and ensure that similar abuses do not go unchecked in the future. The case underscores the need for stricter regulation and monitoring of organizations claiming to offer social services, particularly those operating without proper licensing or oversight.