Polish law enforcement has disrupted a criminal group that defrauded the state treasury of more than 34 million złotys through fictitious VAT invoices.
Organized Crime Takedown
Police have dismantled an organized crime group responsible for massive tax invoice fraud. The authorities have managed to arrest eight suspects aged between 33 and 52 years old in operations carried out in Warsaw and Skierniewice.
Scope of the Fraud
The criminal group, active between 2018 and 2023 in several provinces, fabricated tax invoices worth over 175 million złotys. The fraudulent documents were passed on to various entities, creating artificial costs and reducing the taxable base, leading to losses amounting to over 34 million złotys for the state treasury.
Operation Background
Central Bureau of Investigation Police, operated under the supervision of the Krakow Regional Prosecutor’s Office branch in Szczecin, identified that the group conducted its activity from 2018 to 2023, involving multiple roles including firms acting as “pillars,” “buffers,” and end recipients of the fake documents.
Money Laundering
The suspects were also involved in money laundering activities after committing the fraud. As part of this process, a total of 140 individuals have already been charged in the case.
Substantial Financial Recovery
During the investigation, investigative authorities have seized property estimated at several million złotys and managed to recover part of the funds from the criminal activity.
