ALBAWABA - European investigators are conducting raids across several locations, including Germany, Spain, and Switzerland; searching around 60 properties as suspects are believed to have fraudulently obtained tens of millions of euros.
The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office and Recklinghausen police initially declined to provide further details, citing tax confidentiality rules.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office released a statement saying the investigation is targeting seven main suspects; all alleged to have engaged in money laundering through an international network of companies, having fraudulently obtained VAT refunds to which they were not entitled.
Seit dem frühen Donnerstagmorgen (05.11.) läuft in #NRW eine großangelegte #Razzia. Es geht um #Geldwäsche und #Steuerhinterziehung. Der Schaden belaufe sich auf einen zweistelligen Millionenbetrag. Die Ermittlungen richten sich gegen sieben Hauptbeschuldigte. Sie sollen international Geldwäsche betrieben haben. Außerdem erhielten sie wohl unberechtigte Vorsteuererstattungen. Zudem bestehe der Verdacht, dass Luxusfahrzeuge illegal nach Russland ausgeführt wurden. Auch in anderen Bundesländern sowie in der Schweiz und Spanien gibt es Durchsuchungen.
The amount siphoned by the seven-man group is estimated at tens of million of euros, investigators also suspect that the criminal network was involved in exporting luxury vehicles to Russia through third countries to avoid sanctions.
The ongoing case is headed by investigators from the Central Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime in North Rhine-Westphalia (ZeOS NRW), which is based at the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office.
With investigators from the State Office for Combating Financial Crime participating in the operation as well.
Pshemaf Choiaqo is a digital marketer with a passion for media, style, and presentation.
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