- Three individuals convicted for 24 million euro VAT fraud in Germany
- Convictions followed an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office
- Sentences ranged from one year and nine months to five years and nine months
- Fraud involved simulated car exports using a VAT carousel scheme
- Cars were sold from Germany to Italy and other southern EU countries
- Defendants used shell companies and forged invoices to evade VAT
- Over 100 million euros worth of vehicles supplied, causing 24 million euros in tax damage
- More than 40 shell companies used since 2017, with over 180 missing trader companies involved
- Investigation intensified after EPPO involvement in 2022
- Cooperation with North Rhine-Westphalian Office and German police was crucial
- Evidence gathered in France, Italy, and Spain
- EPPO is responsible for prosecuting crimes against EU financial interests
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.
