Pizza Fan investigation targets massive tax evasion scheme

Pizza Fan tax evasion VAT fraud organized crime Greece

Greek authorities have dismantled an organized criminal group centered around the Pizza Fan restaurant chain, accused of evading tens of millions of euros in VAT. The investigation, launched following an anonymous tip in April, revealed a sophisticated mechanism using specialized software with a feature called ‘kerasma’. This allowed employees to complete transactions—primarily cash orders—without issuing official tax receipts. Authorities estimate that approximately 20% to 25% of cash transactions were hidden from the tax authorities.

Police operations led to the arrest of 23 individuals, including the company owner, accountants, and programmers. During searches, investigators discovered a hidden room in the owner’s residence containing over 1 million euros in cash, luxury jewelry, and a collection of 92 high-end watches from brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe. Total seized cash is reported to exceed 1.4 million euros.

The fallout has left approximately 2,500 employees facing extreme uncertainty as numerous stores remain closed. While the company issued a statement claiming that promotional activities might have caused confusion in turnover calculations, the legal investigation involves 126 individuals. The Greek state's losses are estimated to be between 25 million and 35 million euros, with undeclared profits potentially exceeding 150 million euros.

Entities

Athens · Directorate for Combating Organized Crime · EPOES · Ekali · Fanatiks Pizza EPΕ · Greece · Greek Ministry of Finance · Greek Police · Hellenic Police · Independent Authority for Public Revenue · Konstantinos Andaras · Konstantinos Antaras

Claims

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

[● 21 SOURCES] Konstantinos Andaras, founder of Pizza Fan, has been arrested. www.paraskhnio.gr · ufight.gr · www.flash.gr · tvxs.gr · athina984.gr · +3 more
[DISPUTED] The alleged fraudulent activity began in 2022. www.paraskhnio.gr · ufight.gr · www.flash.gr · tvxs.gr · www.usay.gr · +3 more
[● 36 SOURCES] The investigation concerns the alleged non-payment of at least €25 million in VAT. www.paraskhnio.gr · ufight.gr · www.flash.gr · tvxs.gr · www.usay.gr · +14 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Authorities seized over €500,000 in cash, luxury cars, and jewelry. www.paraskhnio.gr · ufight.gr · tvxs.gr · www.espressonews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Fanatiks Pizza EPΕ net profits fell by approximately 66.5% in 2025.
[● 23 SOURCES] Approximately 23 people have been arrested. www.paraskhnio.gr · ufight.gr · tvxs.gr · www.espressonews.gr · www.flash.gr · +4 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Pizza Fan network sales exceeded €100 million in 2025. www.paraskhnio.gr
[● 12 SOURCES] The Pizza Fan network consists of approximately 110 stores. www.paraskhnio.gr · www.flash.gr · ufight.gr · thefaq.gr · athina984.gr
[● 7 SOURCES] A hidden room in the owner's villa contained over €1 million in cash. www.espressonews.gr · www.rthess.gr · www.flash.gr
[● 14 SOURCES] The fraud was allegedly committed using specialized software that recorded transactions as 'free gifts' to avoid tax. www.espressonews.gr · kosmoslarissa.gr · www.dimokratia.gr · www.usay.gr · boro.gr · +6 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The seized watches include brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. pireas365.gr · www.newsit.gr · typos.com.cy
[● 9 SOURCES] The raid was conducted due to allegations of tax evasion. pireas365.gr · www.newsit.gr · typos.com.cy · www.espressonews.gr · panathinaikos24.gr · +2 more