Romanian prosecutors accuse the brothers of making more than $1.25 million from the alleged exploitation of a girl who was 15 when she was recruited

Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing a new indictment in Romania, where prosecutors accuse the controversial brothers of exploiting a girl who was just 15 years old when she was allegedly “recruited” by the two.

Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, filed the indictment on August 31 as the brothers remain jailed in Miami fighting extradition to the UK (on a separate set of allegations). Andrew Tate, 39, is accused of trafficking a minor, money laundering, repeated sexual activity with a minor and attempting to influence statements. Tristan Tate, 38, is accused of helping traffic a minor, money laundering and attempting to influence statements.

”By the indictment dated 31.08.2026, the prosecutors of the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism Crimes – Central Structure ordered the prosecution of 2 defendants, both British citizens, aged 39 and 38, members of the same family, for committing the crimes of trafficking in minors, continuous money laundering, sexual act with a minor in continuous form and influencing statements, respectively complicity in trafficking in minors, continuous money laundering and influencing statements”, informs DIICOT, in a press release.

Both brothers deny wrongdoing.

At the center of the Romanian indictment is a girl prosecutors say was 15 when Andrew recruited her in England in 2012.

Prosecutors allege Andrew took advantage of the teenager’s vulnerability and convinced her that he wanted a real romantic relationship with her. She was allegedly brought to a property in Luton, England, where prosecutors say she was pushed into webcam work and creating sexually explicit material. The alleged exploitation later continued in Romania.

Authorities say the teenager was controlled through psychological pressure, threats, monitoring and physical violence. Prosecutors allege Tristan knew the girl was underage and later helped manage her webcam accounts, monitored her work and handled money generated from her activity.

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Romanian prosecutors say the brothers obtained approximately $1.25 million through the alleged exploitation and are asking the court to confiscate that amount. Authorities are also seeking four luxury vehicles valued at approximately €825,000.

The indictment includes allegations involving a second minor. Prosecutors accuse Andrew of repeatedly engaging in sexual activity with another 15-year-old girl between 2020 and 2021 in Romania.

Andrew and Tristan are also accused of attempting to influence statements during the investigation.

It’s important to note that the August 31 indictment is not the same case as the Tates’ original 2023 Romanian indictment.

That earlier case accused the brothers of crimes including human trafficking and forming an organized criminal group. In December 2024, a Romanian appeals court sent the case back to prosecutors after finding problems with the indictment and evidence.

The latest charges grew out of a separate investigation that included raids on properties connected to the brothers in August 2024.

The Tates’ Romanian attorney has stressed that the new indictment does not amount to a finding of guilt and said the defense will challenge the case.

The brothers are simultaneously facing proceedings in multiple countries. And while Romanian prosecutors have formally indicted them, the allegations must still make it through the country’s judicial review process before the case can proceed to trial.

Previously, Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Miami in July after British authorities sought their extradition to face a large criminal case that now includes 59 charges involving seven alleged victims. The charges include allegations of rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking and offenses involving indecent images of a child and extreme pornography. 

Again, the brothers deny the allegations and remain in U.S. custody while fighting extradition to the U.K.

Joseph McBride, the brothers’ attorney in the United States, said the following on X:  “THE TATE BROTHERS HAVE BEEN POLITICALLY KIDNAPPED.The United Kingdom does not want Andrew and Tristan traveling to the UK as free men on a winning streak. Nobody is running. We’re fighting this right here, right now. Either way, we bring the fight straight to the Prime Minister’s door.”