The Civil Guard and Tax Office dismantled a piece based intra-community VAT fraud scheme Valencia mainly in the automobile industry high end cars. As a result of the so-called ‘Operation Cavallino’, 23 people were arrested in Valencia, Torrent, Bétera, Llíria, Pobla de Vallbona, Marines and Olocau. Likewise, the Armed Institute sources reported that 75 vehicles and 44 bank accounts blocked, 17 properties seizedamong other effects, multiple 14 million euros would be defrauded by the organization according to the estimates of the researchers.
Investigations began last year in 2021, when the National Bureau of Fraud Investigation (ONIF) and the Regional Inspection Unit of the Tax Office in Valencia, together with the Civil Guard, identified a Valencia-based organization. used a complex web of front companies (‘trout’ companies) that, led by front menThey introduced the vehicles in Spain.
Previously, the organization registered these intermediary companies in the Intra-Community Operators Registry and through them virtually purchased vehicles at its own expense. the only community providerlocated in Germany.
However, these transactions were just a game, as the vehicles were actually purchased directly from Germany by a number of dealer companies, and by doing so, defraud a substantial part VAT They said they would have to liquidate the treasury.
23 people were arrested
After a complex investigation, the arrests of alleged members of this conspiracy were finally made between November and December of this year. In total they were 23 people were arrested 18 men, five women. He is of both Spanish and Romanian nationality. Arrests were made in Valencia, Torrent, Bétera, Llíria, La Pobla de Vallbona, Marines and Olocau. The detainees are charged with committing crimes against the Treasury, money laundering and membership of a criminal organization.
During the operational phase of the operation, the Valencian Civil Guard and Tax Office entered and searched two addresses, three public dealers, and three warehouses that the organization uses to store and preserve vehicles.
Besides the arrests, the operation, blockade of a total of 75 medium and high-end vehicles It has a value in excess of seven million euros, of which 18 are high-end, valued at two million euros. The accounts of 14 individuals and 30 companies were also blocked for €1,350,000, and 17 properties with an estimated value of €3,000,000, seven watches worth more than €100,000, six computers, six mobile phones and a large number of both physical and digital document. format.
During the investigation, we saw the support and cooperation of Europol, which is interlocutor in information exchange with other European Union countries, especially Germany.
about this First VAT fraud scheme operation managed and coordinated by the European Prosecutor’s Office in Spain. The proceedings were handed over to the European Prosecutor’s Office in Spain, and new arrests were not ruled out after the examination and analysis of the large number of seized documents was completed.