Massive operation of the CBA. 12 individuals detained
The CBA has broken up an international crime group dealing with tax fraud in the trade of vegetable oils. So far, the State Treasury losses by virtue of the frauds committed were estimated at the amount of almost PLN 80 million. Twelve persons were detained in Poland and Germany. Payments from PFR (Polish Development Fund) under the so-called anti-crisis shield were also blocked. The case has been investigated by the CBA Regional Office in Bydgoszcz and the District Prosecutor's Office in Poznań.
More than 150 officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau participated in the dismantling of an international crime group operating on the territory of Poland and Germany. Twelve persons were detained, including one Berlin on the basis of the European Arrest Warrant. Among the detainees was the organiser of the criminal scheme. Simultaneously, 45 locations in Poland and in Berlin were searched, where there was a justified suspicion of finding the evidence of the criminal offence. The activities in Poland covered the following voivodships: Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Podkarpackie, Wielkopolskie, Śląskie and Mazowieckie.
As part of the activities undertaken by the CBA, with the support of the Polish and German Liaison Offices at Europol, direct cooperation was established with the German Tax Office for Prosecution and Criminal Matters in Berlin (Finanzamt für Fahndung und Strafsachen Berlin). Joint operations of the officers from the German Office and the CBA resulted in the detention of one of the members of the criminal group and securing evidence in the case during searches.
In the District Prosecutor's Office in Poznań, the detainees faced charges of participation in an organised crime group, money laundering and tax offences. So far the State Treasury losses by virtue of the frauds committed were estimated at the amount of almost PLN 80 million.
The entire case was possible to be accomplished thanks to the intensive work of the officers of CBA Regional Office in Bydgoszcz.
The investigators established that there was an organized criminal group operating in Poland and Germany, which dealt with tax fraud in trade in vegetable oils. The group's activity involved a network of companies managed in such a way as to avoid the blockage of funds on accounts (the so-called missing traders). As a result of their activities, the bank accounts of the missing traders did not receive any funds that could be seized by the financial authorities on suspicion of money laundering.
Moreover, the investigators' findings revealed that the detainees had applied for support under the so-called anti-crisis shield. In the course of the conducted activities, the Polish Development Fund was asked to block the payment of the aid funds applied for. Thus, public financial support did not reach individuals and entities suspected of fiscal offences.
Public Relations Division of the CBA
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Fot. © stori / Photogenica
