News

Following an indictment issued by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in České Budějovice (Czechia) in July 2024, the former mayor of the municipality of Abertamy, a representative of a construction company and a construction supervisor were convicted by the regional court of Pilsen this week (24 June). They defrauded around €420 000 in EU funds for the reconstruction of a museum.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Munich (Germany) is leading an investigation into a suspected €10 million cross-border VAT carousel fraud scheme. Three additional suspects were arrested this week in Lisbon (Portugal).

A coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens (Greece), Madrid (Spain), Paris (France) and Sofia (Bulgaria) has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks flooding the EU market with goods fraudulently imported from China, while evading custom duties and VAT. The criminal scheme, which involved the massive importation of textile, shoes, e-scoters, e-bikes and other goods, is believed to have caused an estimated damage of approximately €700 million. 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Milan and Palermo (Italy), the Italian State Police (Central Operational Service, SISCO and Police Office of Palermo), together with the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Varese have executed eleven arrest warrants issued by the judge of preliminary investigation of Milan.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Berlin (Germany) has arrested two suspects, and seized evidence and assets today in an investigation against a criminal organisation suspected of defrauding €66 million in unpaid VAT and of evading over €137 million in excise duties. 

On behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Ljubljana (Slovenia), Slovenian police’s National Bureau of Investigation (Nacionalni preiskovalni urad – NPU) carried out house searches last week (19 June) in the premises of a municipality in the Štajerska region, as part of an investigation into suspected fraud involving EU funds.

Today, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens (Greece) has referred to the Hellenic Parliament information regarding the alleged involvement of two former Ministers of Rural Development and Food in criminal offences. The Greek Constitution provides that only the national Parliament has the power to investigate and prosecute serving or even former members of the Greek government. 

On behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria), the Bulgarian National Police carried out several searches today, in an investigation into suspected passive corruption and abuse of office affecting EU-funded maritime and fisheries programmes.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bratislava (Slovakia) today conducted evidence-gathering activities, in an investigation into suspicion of misuse of funds destined for military aid to Ukraine, with an estimated damage of €7.4 million. Eight people were detained, four of which are public officials at the Ministry of Defence.