- Large-scale investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Palermo, Italy
- Arrest warrants issued for 10 suspects, with 5 in custody and 4 under house arrest
- Seizures of bank accounts, real estate, cars, jewellery, and luxury watches
- Suspected transnational criminal association involved in beverage trading
- Fraudulent tactics included fake invoices, fictitious transactions, and EU funding fraud
- Alleged VAT losses exceeding €30 million
- Crimes under investigation include VAT fraud, EU funding fraud, money laundering, and fraudulent bankruptcy
- All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in Italian courts
- EPPO responsible for investigating 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.
