- EPPO conducted a sting operation in Naples, Bologna, and Rome to dismantle a criminal gang involved in VAT fraud
- Eight individuals, including suspected ringleaders, were targeted in the investigation
- Approximately €300 million was frozen in assets belonging to 59 suspects and 13 companies
- The criminal scheme involved a criminal association operating a massive VAT fraud in the fuel trading sector
- Fuel was imported from suppliers in Croatia and Slovenia using a chain of missing traders in Italy
- Invoices for simulated transactions amounted to over €1 billion, causing an estimated damage of around €260 million in unpaid VAT
- The group is suspected of laundering over €35 million of the illicit proceeds
- The VAT evasion allowed the group to resell fuel at advantageous prices, distorting fair competition
- Searches were carried out by the Italian Financial Police in several locations
- All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court
- EPPO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against the financial interests of the EU
Source: eppo.europa.eu
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
