The head of the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering Authority on Thursday proceeded to freeze the bank accounts, bank safety deposit boxes and other assets of individuals associated with a ring of companies claiming fraudulent tax rebates, which have cost the Greek state an estimated 13.4 million euros.
The said authorities also forwarded a report to the competent public prosecutor, to initiate a criminal investigation into determine whether offenses such as tax evasion, forming a criminal organization, fraud and money-laundering have been committed.
The individuals under investigation are believed to have operated in concert, forming shell companies that they then used to claim money from the Independent Authority for Public Revenues (AADE) as supposed tax rebates on fake transactions.
The high amounts claimed by the specific companies, exceeding four million euros in one financial year, triggered an investigation by AADE, which revealed the existence of a suspected criminal ring and led to the identification of a series of persons who may be involved in orchestrating the scam.
Other signs included the fact that the companies, despite being recently formed in 2023, reported an unusually high turnover and had a very restricted number of clients and suppliers, as well as the fact that the persons under investigation would often withdraw or transfer the tax rebates to third parties almost as soon as they were paid.
In addition, all the companies’ financial and tax statements were signed by an individual known to the authorities from past cases.
