As part of the criminal investigation into former Hungarian Minister of National Development Miklós Szesták, law enforcement officials seized more than 5 billion forints, 2.6 million euros, and 1.2 million U.S. dollars. All funds have already been transferred to the State Treasury.
A high-profile corruption scandal is unfolding in neighboring Hungary. Local law enforcement agencies have uncovered and seized colossal amounts of unaccounted-for cash in various currencies as part of an investigation into a high-profile criminal case involving Miklós Seszták, the former Minister of National Development in Viktor Orbán’s government (Miklós Seszták).
The results of the large-scale searches were officially reported by Hungary’s National Office for the Recovery and Protection of State Property.
Over 5 billion forints, euros, and dollars: what investigators seized
The total equivalent of the illicit assets found by law enforcement exceeds 17 million euros. According to the agency’s official report, the following were seized during the searches:
- over 5 billion Hungarian forints (equivalent to over 13.5 million euros);
- 2.6 million euros in cash;
- over 1.2 million U.S. dollars.
Hiding places in the forest, warehouses, and a secret safe
Large-scale investigative operations and simultaneous searches took place over two days—November 12 and 13, 2026—across several regions of Hungary. According to the investigation, the methods used to conceal and store these millions resembled a scene from a detective movie:
- the perpetrators hermetically sealed some of the bundles of cash and buried them right in the forest;
- other significant sums were discovered during searches of agricultural buildings and storage facilities;
- the remaining funds were found by investigators in a private residence, as well as in a large armored safe specially installed in a concealed, hidden location.
Currently, all the cash found has been officially seized as evidence in the criminal proceedings and transferred to the Hungarian State Treasury for safekeeping. The pre-trial investigation into this high-profile case is ongoing, with law enforcement officials working to determine the origin of the funds and identify all individuals involved.
Source: National Directorate for the Recovery and Protection of State Property of Hungary.
