Hungarian authorities have recovered more than €17.5 million in cash that was buried in forests and concealed in various locations across the country, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation. The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH) carried out coordinated searches on 12 and 13 November, spanning Budapest and the counties of Pest, Békés and Nógrád.
The operation is linked to Miklós Seszták, a former minister of national development, who is suspected of involvement in a scheme that allegedly funneled illicit payments from companies contracted by Volánbusz, the national bus operator. According to the investigation, between 2015 and 2018, Seszták and the CEO of Hungarian National Asset Management (MNV) received more than 11 billion forints (approximately €28 million) in bribes.
Hidden cash discovered in remote locations
Investigators uncovered large sums of money in a variety of hiding spots: buried in forests, concealed in agricultural buildings and warehouses, stashed inside residential properties, and stored in a high-value safe in a remote location. Over the two-day operation, they recovered 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350 and $1,257,100. On Friday, the cash was paid into the Hungarian State Treasury.
The discovery follows an earlier search in October at Seszták's home in Kisvárda, where authorities found safes of a type typically used by financial service providers and pawnshops. That search prompted the Buda Central District Court to order Seszták's detention on 30 September. In late October, the court extended his detention until 30 January, citing the seriousness of the case and the risk that he might flee or go into hiding.
The case has drawn attention to corruption concerns in Hungary, which have been a recurring issue in the country's political landscape. The European Union has repeatedly raised concerns about rule-of-law and anti-corruption measures in Hungary, and this investigation could have implications for the country's relations with Brussels.
This is not the first time that the Orbán government has faced corruption allegations. In a related development, Orbán's brother was held in Hungary over an alleged people-smuggling scheme, highlighting the broader challenges facing the administration.
The NVVH, which was established to recover assets linked to criminal activity, has been increasingly active in pursuing high-profile cases. The agency's work has been praised by anti-corruption advocates, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address systemic issues.
Hungary's parliament recently elected Péter Fejes as prosecutor general in an anti-graft push, signaling a potential shift in the country's approach to fighting corruption. However, observers remain cautious about whether this will lead to meaningful change.
The investigation into Seszták is ongoing, and further arrests or seizures are possible. The case has also sparked public interest, as it involves significant amounts of cash hidden in rural areas, a reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go to conceal illicit wealth.
For now, the recovered funds have been transferred to the state treasury, and the legal process continues. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for Hungary's anti-corruption efforts and its standing within the European Union.
