- Suspected ringleader in €520 million VAT fraud investigation surrendered in Milan
- Investigation code-named Moby Dick involves cross-border VAT fraud scheme
- Suspect evaded arrest in Prague in November 2024 and was at large for six months
- Surrendered at Milan Malpensa airport from Tirana
- Suspected of criminal association, mafia methods, money laundering, and tax offences
- November 2024 action by EPPO led to 43 arrests in over 10 countries
- Criminal syndicate involved mafia clans and complex tax evasion scheme
- Companies set up in EU and non-EU countries for fraudulent VAT claims
- Issued invoices for over €1.3 billion in electronic goods between 2020 and 2023
- 195 individuals and over 400 companies under investigation
- €520 million freezing order in execution to compensate EU and national budgets
- 129 bank accounts frozen and 192 properties seized in Italy
- All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in Italian courts
- EPPO is responsible for investigating and 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.
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