Andrew Tate reportedly obtained a Vanuatu ‘golden passport’ in the month of his Romania arrest.

Andrew Tate, the 38-year-old influencer, is accused of obtaining a “golden passport” from Vanuatu in the month of his arrest in Romania, facing charges such as rape and human trafficking. This information was reported by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Intelligence Online, stating that Tate reportedly acquired the passport through Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program, which requires a payment of $130,000 (£96,000).

The Guardian conducted an investigation in 2021, revealing how Vanuatu has been selling passports to thousands of individuals, including those linked to sanctions, facing serious allegations, or with arrest warrants. These passports grant visa-free access to the UK and the EU. Concerns about the scheme led to the EU revoking Vanuatu’s visa-free travel agreement in December.

According to NXT Citizen, who submitted the application, Tate’s citizenship was granted in December 2022. During that same month, Tate and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania on charges of human trafficking and forming an organized crime group. Andrew Tate was also accused of rape. It has been claimed that Tate’s passport was issued in January 2023, while he was still in pre-trial detention.

The Tate brothers, hailing from Luton, UK, have been under investigation in Romania since April 2022. The timeline for Tate’s application for Vanuatu citizenship is unclear, as the country lacks a formal extradition arrangement with Romania.

When questioned about the reports, Tate’s spokesperson refused to comment. The Guardian has also reached out to Tate’s lawyers in Romania and the US.

The Tates have denied the allegations in Romania, with an appeals court ruling in December that a human trafficking case could not proceed due to legal and procedural issues. The case has been returned to prosecutors.

Last August, further allegations were raised against the Tates in Romania, including trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, and money laundering, all of which they deny.

Following the conclusion of proceedings in Romania, the brothers are set to be extradited to the UK. UK prosecutors have confirmed their authorization of 10 charges against Andrew Tate, encompassing rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking, and controlling prostitution for gain. These charges are linked to three alleged victims. Tristan Tate faces 11 charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking, all connected to one alleged victim. Both brothers deny the charges.