Last week (28 March 2023), a German court (Landgericht Landshut) convicted two out of ten suspects of organising a VAT carousel fraud scheme involving luxury cars. This follows an earlier conviction of five of the ten suspects in 2022.
The two defendants were found guilty of VAT fraud. They will have to serve prison sentences of 4 years and 9 months, and 2 years and 9 months, respectively. In addition to this, the court made a confiscation order of over €5 million.
The EPPO first reported about this investigation into the organised crime group behind the VAT carousel fraud in October 2021, and later in December 2022, when the first suspect was convicted. A further four suspects were convicted in February 2023.
The three remaining suspects are currently awaiting trial.