EPPO Investigation: Four Arrested in €60 Million VAT Fraud Probe in France

• EPPO carried out searches and arrested four suspects in western France in a probe into a €60 million VAT fraud
• More than €12.5 million in assets were seized in France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the UK
• The investigation was based on a report from the French general-directorate for customs and excises
• Suspects allegedly set up a VAT fraud scheme involving false documents and shell companies
• False documents were used to give the appearance of goods being exported without actual transactions
• VAT reimbursements were transferred to bank accounts in various countries under false identities
• Suspects are alleged to have defrauded around €60 million in VAT reimbursements since 2020
• One person is subject to restrictive measures and an obligation to pay bail
• All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in French courts
• 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.

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