The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) reported a surge in VAT fraud investigations across the EU, with over 2,600 active cases by the end of 2024—a 38% increase from the previous year. Estimated damages reached €24.8 billion, with over €13.15 billion linked to cross-border schemes. Greece ranked fifth among 22 EU countries, with 15 active investigations, while Germany and Italy topped the list. A major crackdown, Operation “Moby Dick,” uncovered extensive fraud networks in Italy, leading to seizures of luxury assets and bank accounts. Fraud linked to EU recovery funds also remains a growing concern.
Tag: Tax Fraud
A nearly 2,000-year-old Greek papyrus uncovered in the Judean Desert has revealed a fascinating corruption trial in the Roman Empire, shedding new light on legal practices and Jewish history. The document, the longest of its kind found in the region, details a criminal case involving two men, Gadalias and Saulos, accused of sophisticated tax fraud, including forged slave sales to evade Roman taxes. Discovered in 2014 by Professor Hannah Cotton-Paltiel, the papyrus offers a rare glimpse into Roman judicial proceedings on the eve of the Bar Kokhba revolt, providing valuable insight into the complexities of Roman law in the provinces.
Since early 2024, Greece’s tax authority, AADE, has been employing digital technologies to detect tax evasion, identifying 1,100 individuals with income discrepancies. AADE has warned these individuals of upcoming audits, and failure to justify discrepancies may result in heavy taxes, fines, and surcharges. Digital tools now allow AADE to access comprehensive financial data to ensure expenses are justified. Recent efforts also include a major crackdown on Chinese-owned businesses involved in systemic tax evasion.
Filomena Kyriacou, a prominent Sydney accountant associated with several well-known figures, including Adam Cranston, who…
ATHENS – A probe by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) led to the arrest…