- The EPPO led a major operation, ‘Escape Room’, targeting cross-border VAT carousel fraud involving electronic device sales across several European countries.
- Dozens of searches were conducted and eight individuals arrested in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland; millions of electronic devices were sold using shell companies and fake invoices to evade VAT.
- The scheme resulted in at least €47 million in VAT losses in Belgium and €14.5 million in the Netherlands, with total EU damages likely much higher; nearly €80 million was also laundered.
- Authorities seized cash, jewellery, vehicles, electronic devices, digital evidence, and froze bank accounts and trading stock.
- The investigation uncovered links to other criminal cases and was supported by multiple national law enforcement agencies.
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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