- EPPO in Paris conducted searches and arrested seven suspects in a VAT fraud investigation involving luxury cars.
- The investigation took place between February and April 2025.
- Three suspects were charged with organized fraud, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of vulnerable persons.
- Suspects created companies across France to evade VAT using EU cross-border transaction rules.
- Strawmen were recruited as company managers, some possibly exploited due to psychological vulnerability.
- The fraudulent scheme caused an estimated damage of 3.4 million euros to France and the EU.
- Seizures included cash, bank accounts, a Rolex watch, luxury goods, paintings, and a high-end vehicle.
- The investigation was led by the Marseille Unit of the Judicial Customs Investigation Office under EPPO supervision.
- It began after a report from the French tax administration about a VAT fraud scheme involving imported cars.
- All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in French courts.
- EPPO is responsible for prosecuting crimes against the EU’s 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.
