The Civil Guard and the Tax Agency have dismantled a intra-community VAT fraud scheme in Valencia. Normally it is not the type of news that would be of interest in a headline dedicated to the motor, but it is closely related to the automobile sector. In fact, they have been seized 75 vehicles medium and high-end products valued at more than 7 million euros. It has been a joint operation, directed and coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which has been called “Cavallino”.
It began in 2021 when the National Fraud Investigation Office (ONIF) and the Regional Inspection Unit of the Tax Agency in Valencia detected some irregularities. It was an organization that used a network of instrumental societies (trouts) to introduce vehicles in Spain. They were managed by front men and carried out fictitious operations to cover up the fact that, in reality, they bought the cars directly in Germany and defrauded a significant portion of VAT.
When everything was verified, the organization was dismantled between November and December. The result was the arrest of 23 people (18 men and 5 women) of Spanish and Romanian nationality who resided in Valencia and other surrounding towns. They are attributed crimes against the Public Treasury, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organization. In the operation they seized the 75 vehicles, in addition to 44 bank accounts, 17 properties, seven luxury watches, computers, mobile phones and abundant documentation in physical and digital format.
Only the cars reached a value of 7 million euros, but the total of the seized assets reaches up to 14 million euros. A detailed list of the seized vehicles has not been given, but some very valuable ones can be distinguished in the images. A McLaren 720S, an Audi RS 3 Sedan, a Ford Focus ST, a Cupra Formentor VZ5 or a Porsche Boxster appear. For the investigation it has been counted with the support of Europol, which has served as an intermediary with Germany. It should also be noted that this is the first VAT scheme operation directed and coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Spain.