U.S. Offer Reward For Tips On Two Romanians Involved In Online Fraud
The United States on Tuesday offered a combined reward of $1.75 million for information on two Romanians allegedly involved in online fraud.
The State Department is posting separate bounties of $1 million and $750,000 for tips leading to the arrest of Nocolae Popescu and Dumitru Daniel Bosogioiu, respectively.
The agency described Popescu as a man who led a cyber-fraud scheme to flood U.S. marketplace websites with “convincing advertisements” to sell cars, motorcycles, boats and other high- value items that did not exist.
It also described Bosogioiu as a key member of the scheme.
The department said both Popescu and Bosogioiu are wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation which on Tuesday put Popescu on the Most Wanted list at its website. (Jurnalul National)
Government Approves Norms For Subsidized Car Loan Program
Romania’s government on Tuesday approved the regulations for the car loan program “First Car”, allowing buyers to get state-guaranteed loans.
Program beneficiaries may get loans for maximum five years for cars that cost a maximum RON50,000 plus VAT. The state will subsidize half the interest on the loan. Prospective buyers will have to make a down-payment of 5% to 10% of the loan.
The program mainly targets people aged 18 to 35, but other age groups are not excluded. State guarantees on car loans will cover maximum 50% of the loan and the purchased car will represent the rest of the collateral.
The program limits car purchases to new cars that meet at least the minimum requirements of the Euro 5 standard. (Puterea)
H&M To Launch Online Store In Romania In 2015
Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) on Tuesday said it will launch an online store in Romania in 2015.
H&M has 37 stores on the Romanian market.
In 2015, H&M also plans to launch online stores in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and Slovakia.
H&M in Romania increased 39% in December 2013-August 2014, the first nine months of the current financial year, to SEK864 million (EUR94.1 million), from SEK620 million in the same period the year before.
H&M (Hennes&Mauritz) was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. H&M has around 3,300 stores in 54 markets, including franchised units. (Adevarul)
Romania Foreign Minister Melescanu Resigns Over Vote Row
Teodor Melescanu on Tuesday resigned from the position of Foreign Affairs minister, after eight days in office, because of problems faced by expatriate voters.
“Since we live in a country where nobody is willing to take responsibility and the only concern is to shift responsibility from one person to another, I, as a man of honor, take this responsibility and will submit my resignation as foreign minister at the Government’s meeting today,” Melescanu said Tuesday.
Melescanu apologized publicly to all Romanians abroad who couldn’t cast their vote in the Nov. 16 presidential election.
Mihnea Motoc, Romania’s Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday was appointed the country’s new minister of Foreign Affairs.
Tuesday evening, President Traian Basescu signed the decrees appointing Motoc for the position and Hegedüs Csilla as Culture minister. (Adevarul)
Romanian MPs Reject Bill On Amnesty And Pardons
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday rejected with 293 pros, one con and one abstention a bill regarding amnesty and pardons that would have helped jailed Romanian politicians.
The Chamber was decider on the matter. The Senate had rejected the bill in May 2013.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta and Romania’s new President, Klaus Iohannis, also want to lift the immunity of lawmakers being probed by prosecutors. (Jurnalul National)