Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, are facing serious legal trouble in Romania. Along with two Romanian women, they were indicted Tuesday on charges of rape and sex trafficking. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), Romania's primary agency combating organized crime, announced the charges, alleging the group formed a criminal enterprise in 2021 to traffic humans within Romania, the United States, and Great Britain.
The Tate brothers, who hold dual British-U.S. citizenship, are accused of employing deceptive tactics, often referred to as the "loverboy method," to lure seven women under false pretenses of marriage and genuine affection. Prosecutors contend the victims were then transported to properties in Ilfov county, Romania, where they endured physical violence, mental manipulation, constant surveillance, and threats. The indictment further alleges the group coerced the women into performing in pornographic content for online distribution.
Authorities have seized significant assets from the Tate brothers, including 15 high-end vehicles, luxury watches, and approximately $3 million in cryptocurrency. The indictment details instances where victims attempting to escape the situation were met with physical violence. One specific allegation describes one of the defendants raping a victim twice in March 2022 using physical force and psychological pressure.
Andrew Tate, a 36-year-old former kickboxer residing in Romania since 2017, has consistently denied the accusations, claiming a lack of evidence and suggesting a politically motivated conspiracy to silence him. His spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, affirmed their readiness to cooperate with authorities and present evidence to clear their names. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Bucharest.
Romanian legal procedures allow a judge up to 60 days to review the case files before proceeding to trial. The Tate brothers and the two Romanian women were initially detained in late December and later transitioned to house arrest on March 31. Andrew Tate, once a prominent social media personality with over six million Twitter followers, was previously banned from various platforms for hate speech and misogynistic remarks. His Twitter account was reinstated last year by Elon Musk.
Concerns have been raised about Tate's continued online influence, particularly among young men drawn to his portrayal of a lavish lifestyle intertwined with controversial views. Several women in Britain are also pursuing civil action against Tate for alleged sexual violence. In a recent BBC interview, Tate denied promoting misogyny and manipulating women for financial gain.
