Romanian authorities say two people have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the country of millions of euros during the 2006 bird flu scare

Authorities say a former Transport Ministry official and a businessman were arrested Sunday pending trial for the alleged 6 million euros ($7.95 million) fraud.

The official, Victor Butean, is accused of receiving bribes to help Tonel Ursachi's company secure a contract for disease control and prevention.

Prosecutors say the company won the contract, although it had no experience in disease control, just one employee and no equipment.

They say the company hired 12 subcontractors to do the work, for which it was paid 6 million euros.

The two men have not commented on the charges