In an investigation into a complex cross-border VAT fraud involving fuels imported to the Italian market, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bologna (Italy), assets worth €2.4 million have been seized in Romania.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Milan (Italy), one individual has been placed under house arrest, and charged with a €41.8 million VAT fraud and the misappropriation of €6.7 million in public funds, among other offences. 

Yesterday, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Munich and Cologne (Germany) moved against a suspected criminal organisation, believed to have orchestrated a massive €195 million VAT fraud through the sale of smartphones, small electronic devices and protective face masks.

(Luxembourg, 27 February 2024) – In the context of a large-scale investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), several searches, arrests and seizures took place between Saturday and Monday, in a probe into an alleged criminal association suspected of aggravated VAT fraud involving beverages and EU funding fraud.

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Milan (Italy), five individuals were arrested on 23 February, on suspicion of orchestrating a €220 million VAT fraud involving alcohol exports to several Member States.A freezing order was also executed at the EPPO’s request by the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Milan, targeting bank accounts, real estate and luxury cars.

Over 80 searches were conducted yesterday and three suspects were arrested, in a probe into an alleged criminal organisation suspected of a multimillion VAT fraud involving car sales, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cologne and Munich (Germany). 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Turin (Italy), searches were conducted yesterday in several locations and four suspects were arrested, in an investigation into a €10 million VAT carousel fraud involving tyres. 

In the context of a large-scale investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens (Greece), several house searches, arrests and seizures have taken place, in a probe into an alleged criminal organisation suspected of a €36.4 million VAT fraud and a €9.6 million EU subsidy fraud.

On Monday (4 December), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Luxembourg City and Frankfurt am Main led searches in Luxembourg and Germany, in an action targeting a criminal group suspected of a VAT fraud. In addition, 17 bank accounts, cash, gold and cryptocurrencies have been seized.

On 22 November 2023, 59 searches and other investigative measures were carried out in eight countries, in an action targeting criminal groups under investigation for an €85 million VAT fraud, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Hamburg (Germany). One of the alleged ringleaders of the criminal groups under investigation was arrested.