started · updated
Düsseldorf court sentences perpetrators in €200 million VAT fraud
The Düsseldorf Regional Court has issued prison sentences in connection with the ‘Goliath’ investigation, a massive VAT fraud scheme involving high-end electronics. The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, revealed a ‘VAT carousel’ that caused an estimated €200 million in damages to public budgets.
A 39-year-old primary defendant from Düsseldorf was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison for gang tax evasion and membership in a criminal organization abroad. A 51-year-old Danish co-defendant received a sentence of five years and eight months for aiding tax evasion and supporting a criminal organization.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office described the verdicts as a significant legal milestone in identifying and holding accountable organized crime behind these fraudulent models.
Separately, a study by CRIF and trade associations indicates rising e-commerce fraud in Austria and Germany. In Austria, 64 percent of online shops have been affected by fraud or attempted fraud, with 46 percent reporting an increase in incidents compared to the previous year. In Germany, the impact is higher, with 93 percent of surveyed e-commerce retailers reporting fraud, including high rates of identity theft and account takeovers.
Entities
CRIF · Düsseldorf Regional Court · European Public Prosecutor's Office · Goliath investigation · Handelsverband Österreich
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] 93 percent of surveyed German e-commerce retailers have been affected by fraud. aviation.direct · www.top-news.at
- [● 4 SOURCES] The VAT fraud scheme caused an estimated €200 million in damages to public budgets. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.bbv-net.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.wz.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] 64 percent of Austrian online shops have been affected by fraud or attempted fraud. aviation.direct · www.top-news.at
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Düsseldorf Regional Court sentenced a 39-year-old defendant to seven years and two months in prison. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.bbv-net.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.wz.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] 46 percent of Austrian businesses reported an increase in fraud incidents compared to the previous year. aviation.direct · www.top-news.at
- [● 4 SOURCES] A 51-year-old Danish defendant was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison. www.marler-zeitung.de · www.bbv-net.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.wz.de