News (651)
RSSFormer minister and three suspects indicted in Croatia for abuse of office and authority and trading in influence
Today, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb sent an indictment against four persons and two legal entities: former Croatian Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds (MRRFEU); the former director of Croatia’s Central Finance and Contracting Agency (SAFU); and two business owners, along with their respective businesses.
Romania: More than 20 suspects indicted for participation in transnational organisation operating to fraudulently obtain EU funds
On 19 December 2022, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Romania referred a criminal case to the Bucharest Tribunal Court, where 23 people have been indicted for participating in a criminal organisation operating in Romania and Austria to fraudulently obtain more than €5 million in EU and national funds.
Romania: Five people and four companies indicted for fraud with EU funds for the development of the Danube Delta
On 19 December 2022, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Romania referred a criminal case to the Bucharest Tribunal Court, where five individuals and four companies have been indicted for participating in a criminal organisation to fraudulently obtain more than €3 million in EU funds for the development of the Danube Delta.
First verdict in EPPO case in Italy: 10 convictions for tobacco smuggling
Today, the pre-trial judge at the Tribunal of Palermo issued 10 convictions concerning a tobacco smuggling investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo. This is the first verdict in an EPPO case in Italy in abbreviated proceedings.
Germany: First conviction in VAT carousel fraud involving luxury cars
On Friday, 16 December, a German court convicted one of ten suspects for organising a VAT carousel fraud involving luxury cars. This scheme was investigated in 2021 by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Germany, and is estimated to have caused losses of at least €13 million.
France: Assets seized in customs fraud investigation concerning imported fashion goods
The French customs authorities, under the direction of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), conducted several searches in France on 15 November 2022, in an ongoing investigation into a suspected organised criminal group alleged to have imported fashion items from a non-EU country, substantially undervaluing the fair value of the goods in order to evade customs duties and VAT.
Portugal: Five indicted in investigation into tax evasion on imported fuels from Spain
Following an operation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) on December 7, five individuals have been indicted of tax fraud and money laundering, for participation in a suspected VAT fraud scheme concerning fuels imported from Spain and sold in Portugal, with estimated damages of more than €26 million.
European Chief Prosecutor requests lifting of immunity of two Members of the European Parliament
Today, in accordance with the procedures laid down by Union law, the European Chief Prosecutor requested the lifting of immunity of Ms Eva Kaili, Member of the European Parliament, and Ms Maria Spyraki, Member of the European Parliament.
Italy: EPPO seizes imported electric cars in anti-fraud operation
In a complex anti-fraud operation concerning the parallel import of cars, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), in cooperation with the Civitavecchia Customs Office, on Monday seized 28 new electric vehicles by a well-known car manufacturer at the Port of Rome (Italy).
Largest VAT fraud investigated in EU: 24 arrests, 312 house searches and seizures worth €67 million
Last week, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) exposed what is believed to be the biggest VAT fraud ever investigated in the EU. With the help of Europol and more than 30 national law enforcement partners, the EPPO was able to connect the dots between a company in Portugal and close to 9000 other legal entities and more than 600 natural persons located in different countries.