EPPO Uncovers €45 Billion VAT and Customs Fraud, Reshaping EU Criminal Landscape in 2025

• EPPO investigated 3,602 active cases at the end of 2025, with estimated damages of €67.27 billion, mostly from VAT and customs fraud.
• VAT and customs fraud accounted for over €45 billion in damages, highlighting a shift in organized crime towards these areas.
• 2,030 new cases were opened in 2025 (35% increase), with expenditure fraud making up 68% of cases but only 27% of damages.
• EPPO achieved a conviction rate close to 95%, filed 275 indictments (34% more than 2024), and froze €288.93 million in assets.
• Reports and complaints to EPPO increased by 6%, mainly from private parties, indicating growing public awareness and trust.

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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