Criminal Organization Dismantled: €20 Million VAT Fraud in Mobile Sales Uncovered, 15 Arrested

• A criminal organization involved in VAT fraud of over 20 million euros in mobile phone sales has been dismantled.
• Joint operation by the Tax Agency and Guardia Civil.
• 15 arrests made in Malaga, Valencia, Madrid, Seville, Cadiz, and Barcelona.
• 146 properties and over 280 bank accounts blocked.
• 9,000 cell phones, over 200,000 euros in cash, 35,500 dollars in cryptocurrencies, and 75 vehicles seized.
• Investigation revealed a complex business network evading VAT since 2019.
• Fraud involved imported phones and large promotional purchases.
• Organization used fraudulent resale chains with fake shipments.
• Devices sold as refurbished in Spain and other European countries.
• VAT fraud schemes allowed selling phones at lower prices, cornering the market.
• Profits spent on real estate; 146 properties and 280 bank accounts frozen.
• 23 searches and raids conducted under Court of Instruction No. 6 in Malaga.

Source: sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es

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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