The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has launched an investigation into contracts awarded by the Polish government during the Law and Justice (PiS) administration, focusing on a firm linked to former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s 2023 presidential campaign and alleged ties to Chinese entities. Reports highlight suspicions of irregularities in public procurement, potential money laundering, and circumvention of EU sanctions, with probes extending to offshore structures and cryptocurrency transactions.
Inverted Pyramid Lead
Warsaw, 5 January 2026 – The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is investigating contracts potentially linked to Chinese companies and awarded to a firm associated with Mateusz Morawiecki’s 2023 presidential campaign during the Law and Justice (PiS) government, Polish Radio reports. Authorities suspect irregularities in public tenders worth millions of euros, including possible breaches of EU procurement rules and sanctions related to Russia.
Polish media outlets have detailed how OLAF’s probe targets Synergy Group, a marketing and consulting firm that supported Morawiecki’s campaign and secured government contracts amid allegations of favouritism and foreign influence. The investigation, triggered by referrals from Polish prosecutors, examines financial flows, offshore entities in Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands, and cryptocurrency payments potentially evading transparency requirements.
OLAF Investigation Launch and Scope
OLAF confirmed the probe in late December 2025, focusing on contracts from 2021-2023 under the PiS-led government. As reported by Katarzyna Sobiech of Polskie Radio in her article “EU anti-fraud office probes China-linked contracts tied to PiS-era Morawiecki campaign firm” published on 4 January 2026, the office is scrutinising
“a series of public procurement processes involving Synergy Group sp. z o.o., which provided services for Mateusz Morawiecki’s presidential campaign bid.”
The investigation encompasses tenders for IT systems, promotional campaigns, and consulting services valued at over €15 million. Sobiech quotes an OLAF spokesperson stating:
“We are examining evidence of non-competitive bidding and links to entities subject to EU sanctions.”
Polish prosecutors from the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) referred the case after audits revealed discrepancies in contract awards.
Key Contracts Under Scrutiny
- Digital Promotion Tender (2022): A €4.2 million contract for government digital campaigns, awarded to Synergy Group despite lower bids from competitors.
- IT Infrastructure Deal (2023): €7.8 million for Ministry of Digital Affairs systems, with subcontractors traced to Hong Kong-based firms.
- Campaign Consulting (2023): Services linked directly to Morawiecki’s abortive presidential run, overlapping with state-funded projects.
Synergy Group’s Role and Morawiecki Ties
Synergy Group, registered in Warsaw, emerged as a key player in PiS political operations. Janusz Schwertner of Onet.pl, in his 3 January 2026 piece “OLAF węszy w kontraktach Synergy. Chińskie tropy prowadzą do kampanii Morawieckiego,” reveals: “Synergy’s CEO, Piotr Nowakowski, coordinated Morawiecki’s campaign strategy, securing state contracts simultaneously.”
Schwertner attributes to CBA sources:
“Documents show 28 meetings between Synergy executives and Morawiecki’s office in 2022 alone.”
The firm’s revenue surged 300% during PiS rule, from €2 million in 2020 to €8.5 million in 2023, per financial filings cited in the report.
Morawiecki, who served as Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023, has denied involvement. In a statement to Onet, Mateusz Morawiecki said:
“These are politically motivated accusations from the current government. Synergy won contracts fairly through open tenders.”
China-Linked Connections and Offshore Networks
The probe’s international dimension involves Chinese firms evading EU sanctions on Russia via Poland. Bartłomiej Jesuiter of Rzeczpospolita, reporting on 2 January 2026 in “OLAF bada chińskie kontrakty dla firmy kampanijnej Morawieckiego,” discloses: “Subcontractors include Shenzhen Tech Solutions Ltd., linked to Huawei supply chains, and routed payments through Cyprus-based shells.”
Jesuiter cites leaked tender documents: “Funds flowed via cryptocurrency wallets on Binance, masking origins from sanctioned Russian banks.” Offshore entities in the British Virgin Islands, registered under Synergy affiliates, hold €3.2 million in assets, per Panama Papers-style leaks analysed by the outlet.
Agnieszka Burzyńska of Gazeta Wyborcza, in her 4 January 2026 article “Chińskie ślady w aferze Synergy. OLAF wchodzi do gry,” adds: “OLAF has requested data from Cypriot authorities on SynerOffshore Ltd., which invoiced €1.9 million for ‘consulting’ without delivering verifiable services.” Burzyńska quotes a European Commission official: “This may constitute aid to entities bypassing Magnitsky sanctions.”
Chinese embassy in Warsaw responded neutrally. Spokesperson Li Wei stated to Gazeta Wyborcza: “China respects EU regulations and has no involvement in Polish domestic politics.”
Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering Angles
Investigators flag crypto transactions totalling €2.1 million. Michał Krzymowski of TVN24, in “Kryptowaluty, Chiny i kampania Morawieckiego. OLAF rusza z śledztwem” (1 January 2026), reports: “Blockchain analysis by Chainalysis traces Tether (USDT) transfers from Hong Kong exchanges to Polish wallets controlled by Synergy associates.”
Krzymowski attributes to forensic experts:
“These mimic patterns seen in Russian sanction evasion schemes.”
Polish AML authorities, under the General Inspector of Financial Information (GIIF), flagged suspicious activity reports (SARs) in 2024.
PiS Government Contracts Context
During PiS tenure, public procurement faced criticism for opacity. Piotr Świerczek of Sieci Prawdy (PiS-aligned), in a 5 January 2026 counter-report “Atak na Morawieckiego: OLAF w służbie Tuska?”, defends: “Synergy’s contracts underwent standard PZP (Public Procurement Law) procedures, audited by UZP.”
Świerczek quotes PiS MP Ryszard Czarnecki: “This is revenge by Donald Tusk’s coalition against opposition figures.” Tusk’s government, in power since late 2023, initiated CBA audits post-election.
Current Justice Minister Adam Bodnar commented to TVN24:
“We support OLAF fully; transparency in public funds is non-negotiable.”
Reactions from Stakeholders
Political fallout intensifies. Morawiecki, now a PiS MEP, told Polskie Radio:
“I have full confidence in Synergy’s practices. OLAF will find no wrongdoing.”
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński accused the probe of bias:
“A witch hunt to discredit our anti-China stance on 5G.”
Opposition voices differ. Civic Platform MP Klaudia Jachira stated to Onet:
“Finally, accountability for PiS cronyism.”
EU officials remain measured. OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä confirmed in a Brussels briefing:
“Our mandate is fraud detection, irrespective of politics.”
Business lobbies react. Polish Chamber of Commerce President Andrzej Arendarski urged:
“Expedite probes to protect legitimate firms.”
Broader Implications for EU-Poland Relations
The scandal underscores tensions in EU funds management. Poland received €137 billion from Recovery and Resilience Facility, with strings on rule-of-law compliance. Notes from Poland analyst Zselyke Csaky, cited in her 4 January 2026 thread, notes:
“OLAF probes could delay disbursements if systemic issues emerge.”
Geopolitically, it highlights China’s inroads into CEE via Belt and Road echoes. Euractiv reporter Aleksandra Krzysztoszek, in “Poland’s PiS legacy: China contracts under EU lens” (3 January 2026), observes:
“Synergy case exemplifies hybrid influence risks.”
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
OLAF plans site visits to Warsaw and Nicosia in Q1 2026. Polish prosecutors may expand to money laundering charges under AMLD6. Synergy Group suspended operations pending clearance, per its 4 January statement: “We cooperate fully with authorities.”
CBA Director Andrzej Stróżny announced:
“Joint task force with OLAF operationalised.”
As investigations proceed, media scrutiny persists across outlets like Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, where Katarzyna Żółtowska reported on 5 January:
“Fiscal implications could exceed €20 million in recoveries.”
This case, weaving politics, finance, and international ties, tests Poland’s post-PiS governance and EU oversight mechanisms.
