Großaktion: Millionen-Steuerbetrug mit Luxusautos in EU: 13 Festnahmen

In a major operation targeting alleged tax fraud involving luxury vehicles worth millions, law enforcement agencies conducted arrests, searches, and seizures across Germany and four other EU nations. Thirteen individuals were detained in Germany and Austria, according to the European Fiscal Prosecution Office (EUStA) in Luxembourg.

Investigations are underway against over fifty suspects. The authorities estimate that the fraudulent scheme caused an estimated €100 million in damage. On Wednesday, more than 900 officers participated in searches in Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. Authorities from Frankfurt, Baden-Württemberg, and Berlin contributed to the operations.

Bank accounts have been frozen, dozens of vehicles, cash, cryptocurrencies, firearms, and luxury watches have been seized. In Berlin, two properties were confiscated, including a hostel. Seven people, including two tax consultants, are suspected of using a sophisticated "carousel" tax fraud scheme for over ten years, exploiting EU regulations that exempt cross-border trade between member states from VAT.

Corporations in Berlin allegedly imported luxury cars without paying VAT and, through a network of businesses and sometimes cross-border sales, avoided paying taxes and then refunded themselves elsewhere. The European Fiscal Prosecution Office (Eppo) is an independent EU prosecutor responsible for investigating financial crimes against EU finances, including tax evasion, money laundering, customs fraud, and misuse of EU funds.