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(Luxembourg, 12 June 2024) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bologna (Italy), a freezing order of over €6.8 million, issued by the judge for preliminary investigations of the Court of Bologna, was executed last week (6 June) against four individuals and one company suspected of VAT fraud relating to the illegal importation of fabric from China.
The Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Bologna executed the freezing order and managed to freeze over €620 000 on the bank accounts of the suspects. In addition, over €27 000 in cash have been found and seized during the searches by the Italian Financial Police, with the support of cash dogs.
As previously reported, the investigation targets eight individuals and seven companies suspected of evading VAT on the import of over 13 600 tonnes of textiles, worth around €63 million, from China into the EU. The suspects, including owners and managers of customs shipping companies in Prato and Bologna and Chinese entrepreneurs, are suspected of smuggling, forgery, and issuing fake invoices. Despite declaring the imports, they failed to move goods to tax warehouses, allowing immediate release without paying VAT. This scheme caused an estimated VAT loss of over €13 million, leading to the freezing of assets worth €7.3 million in April this year.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.