News (635)

Croatia: EPPO expands subsidy fraud and money laundering investigation in Dubrovnik-Neretva County
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has decided to expand an investigation against four suspects and a company for subsidy fraud and money laundering, due to suspicions of an additional subsidy fraud committed by one of the suspects and another company.

Portugal: 11 arrested as EPPO dismantles €30 million VAT fraud ring trading essential food products
In an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Lisbon (Portugal), code-named ‘Ambrosia’, 11 suspects were arrested today, believed to be operating a criminal network responsible for VAT fraud involving essential food products (including olive oil, cooking oil and sugar), with an estimated damage of €30 million.

Germany: Three new charges in large-scale VAT fraud investigation Huracán
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cologne (Germany) has filed an indictment against three defendants with the Regional Court in Düsseldorf. This is the second indictment in a large-scale VAT fraud investigation, code-named ’Huracán’, concerning the international trade of more than 10 000 cars.

Statement from European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi on proposed amendment to Austrian code of criminal procedure
The seizure, processing and analysis of electronic data are of paramount importance for any criminal investigation and prosecution.
The European Chief Prosecutor has duly noted that on 14 June 2024, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Austria proposed an amendment to the code of criminal procedure regulating the seizure of data and data storage devices, following a ruling by the Austrian Constitutional Court on 14 December 2023.

France: EPPO probes customs fraud involving eyewear imported from China
In an investigation into a suspected customs fraud involving imported eyewear from China, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Paris (France), searches were conducted simultaneously on 25 and 26 June in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Belgium: EPPO arrests two suspects in €3.1 million biodiesel fraud investigation
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium) has arrested two suspects in connection with an investigation into a customs fraud involving biodiesel imports, with an estimated damage of €3.1 million.

Bulgaria: EPPO charges entrepreneur with fraud involving construction of dairy facility
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) filed an indictment today against an entrepreneur, accused of using false documentation to obtain EU funds for the construction of a dairy facility.

Croatia: Three individuals and a company indicted for subsidy fraud and document forgery
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zagreb (Croatia) has filed an indictment against three Croatian citizens and one company for subsidy fraud and document forgery, following an investigation into their obtaining of financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Slovenia: Two indicted for subsidy fraud in the tourism sector
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Ljubljana (Slovenia) has filed an indictment at Ljubljana’s District Court against two individuals and one association, for subsidy fraud, abuse of position, and aiding and abetting. The suspects are alleged to have defrauded EU funds of almost €100 000.

Luxembourg: EPPO obtains the lifting of immunity of two former EIB employees
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has accepted the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to lift the immunity of two of its former employees, as well as the inviolability of its premises, buildings and archives in Luxembourg.