Greece tax fraud scheme targets 40 million euros

tax refund fraud money laundering shell companies organized crime Greek State

The Anti-Money Laundering Authority has uncovered a massive tax fraud scheme targeting the Greek State, estimated at approximately 40 million euros. The investigation, conducted under the direction of Charalampos Vourliotis, has identified 46 individuals and a network of 152 companies involved in the operation.

Operating between 2023 and 2024, the criminal organization allegedly utilized shell companies, straw men, and fictitious transactions to secure illegal tax refunds. These fraudulent claims covered income tax, VAT, and 20% withholding tax. Approximately 16 million euros had already been paid out to the network before authorities intervened.

The Authority has issued a seizure order to block further payments and prevent additional financial damage to the state. The investigation suggests that accountants and tax technicians played an active role in the organized mechanism. The case has been referred to the prosecutor for further criminal investigation into charges including organized crime, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.

Entities

Anti-Money Laundering Authority · Charalambos Vourliotis · Charalampos Vourliotis · Greece · Greek State

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Accountants and tax technicians are suspected of active participation in the criminal organization. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr
[● 11 SOURCES] The Anti-Money Laundering Authority uncovered a tax refund fraud scheme totaling approximately 40 million euros. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The scheme utilized shell companies, straw men, and fictitious transactions. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Approximately 16 million euros had already been paid out before the intervention. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The fraudulent activities occurred during the 2023-2024 period. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The fraud involved illegal tax refunds of income, VAT, and 20% withholding tax. tempo24.news · www.e-radio.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · www.lifo.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The investigation involves 46 individuals and a network of 152 companies. www.e-radio.gr · tempo24.news · www.protothema.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The authority issued a seizure order to block further payments to the network. tempo24.news · www.e-radio.gr · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · www.lifo.gr · +6 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The investigation includes potential crimes of organized crime, fraud against the Greek State, tax evasion, and money laundering. lawnet.gr · tempo24.news · www.biskotto.gr · www.paraskhnio.gr · www.alfavita.gr · +4 more