Romania's tax authorities say they will investigate the country's big earners including celebrities, loan sharks and pop stars to verify the sources of their incomes.
The head of Romania's tax authority, Stefan Diaconu, said Thursday authorities were intensifying the fight against tax evasion, having identified 7,800 people to investigate.
"Whether they are public figures, turbo folk stars or loan sharks.....they will also have to prove the origins of their incomes," said Diaconu in a statement, singling out three categories of people associated with lavish lifestyles. Turbo folk is Balkan genre which mixes folk, oriental and electronic influences.
According to global management consulting company A.T. Kearney, Romania's underground economy was worth an estimated $45 billion in 2013.
Romania has stepped up its anti-corruption drive in recent months.
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