Two men have been remanded in custody in Hungary after allegedly posing as fake government officials from the newly assembled government asset protection and recovery office and attempting to extort HUF 2 billion (almost EUR 5.5 million) from a man in exchange for making criminal proceedings against him disappear.
The two men tried to make billions by posing as government officials
The suspects are accused of pretending to hold official government positions and claiming they could influence legal proceedings in the victim’s favour. According to the Budapest Regional Investigation Prosecutor’s Office, the scheme began in July 2026, when one of the men approached the victim at a petrol station and claimed to work for the national security services.
He allegedly told the man that he knew about criminal proceedings pending against him and offered to have the cases dropped in exchange for HUF 2 billion. The victim refused, but the fake government official reportedly contacted him repeatedly afterwards, attempting to put pressure on him. Among other claims, he allegedly told the man that he was under constant surveillance.
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Alleged fake police operation
After the victim continued to reject the offer, two associates of the first suspect allegedly turned up at his home on 8 October. According to the prosecution, they posed as police officers and pretended to be carrying out an official procedure, claiming they were taking the man to the National Office for Asset Protection and Recovery.
The two fake government officials allegedly searched the victim, took his mobile phone and put him in a vehicle fitted with emergency warning lights before driving away with him. During the journey, they called their alleged accomplice. Acting on his instructions, they returned the victim to his home, handed back his phone and told him to contact the first suspect as soon as possible.
The three men were subsequently arrested in an operation involving the tactical unit of the National Police Headquarters’ Criminal Support Directorate, the National Protective Service and the Riot Police. Investigators suspect them of influence peddling by impersonating public officials, as well as unlawful deprivation of personal liberty committed by feigning an official procedure and causing significant harm.
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Court orders two suspects held in custody
The Buda Central District Court ordered two of the suspects to be held in custody until 10 November, citing the risk that they might flee or go into hiding. The ruling is not final. According to the court, one suspect has close ties abroad through his family and employment, while the other allegedly attempted to evade police during his arrest. The court considered the seriousness of the suspected offences and the potential penalties when assessing whether the men would remain available throughout the proceedings.
The court also noted that the suspect who allegedly posed as a national security official had no previous criminal record and had made a full admission, providing a detailed account and co-operating with investigators. It therefore did not consider him to pose a risk of reoffending. Nevertheless, the court ruled that detention remained necessary at this stage because the suspects’ living arrangements, personal circumstances and financial situations had not yet been sufficiently established to justify a less restrictive measure.
The investigation concerns three alleged participants, although the latest custody order applies to the two men who faked being government officials. The suspects have been detained pending further proceedings. The allegations have not been established by a final court judgment.
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Featured image shows Anna Unger, head of the National Office for Asset Protection and Recovery. Photo: Fekete-Győr András/Facebook
