Greece police dismantle major hospitality tax evasion ring

Greek authorities have dismantled a criminal organization involved in large-scale tax evasion within the hospitality sector. Following a coordinated police operation in Athens and Thessaloniki, 23 members of the group, including the alleged leader, were arrested. The investigation has identified an additional 109 individuals.

The criminal network utilized specialized software to manipulate order systems, allowing them to complete transactions without issuing mandatory receipts. This method enabled the concealment of taxable income, which is estimated to exceed 150 million euros, resulting in a loss to the state of over 35 million euros.

Authorities seized computers, luxury watches, vehicles, and more than 1.28 million euros in cash. The investigation highlights a growing trend where tax evasion evolves beyond simple non-issuance of receipts to the use of illegal software and ‘fake’ cash registers designed to distort transaction data and bypass digital monitoring systems.