Serious developments are emerging regarding the case of a criminal network that managed to pocket several million euros through fake invoices and a series of shell companies via illegal VAT refunds. According to police sources, the core network profited approximately €4.5 million, while another €3.7 million was ready for withdrawal. These figures emerge from 350 suspicious invoices being investigated by the Economic Crime Investigation Sub-directorate.
According to the police investigation, 310 invoices are estimated to relate to transactions that never actually took place, while the Greek state was simultaneously notified of the opposite and VAT payments were made. Sources from parapolitika.gr emphasize that the network’s core group had “prepared” phantom transactions worth €12 million, which were canceled at the last minute due to surprise audits conducted in recent days.
Read: Fake invoice scam: The network leader, the famous TV host and the crazy profits (Video)
How the fake invoice network operated
The “system” that was created reportedly consists of dozens of shell companies, whose legal responsibility was held by “straw men” and individuals who made their living through this process in exchange for a small share. Sources from parapolitika.gr noted that among those arrested and other involved parties are people with financial knowledge, such as accountants, as well as individuals who have no connection to the purported business of the shell companies. A total of 73 names appear in the preliminary investigation report, while by Tuesday evening (30/9) 17 arrests had been made. Specifically, unofficial sources claimed on Tuesday evening that more arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
Among those involved is reportedly a well-known TV host and television producer, who has been under scrutiny by various regulatory mechanisms several times in the past. The presenter allegedly received at least five suspicious invoices worth over €1.5 million through a company in which he holds shares. The company that received the disputed invoices is a website management company.
The TV host reportedly claims he has no involvement in the case, that his businesses have been audited many times in the past, and that his companies are ready to be audited again whenever the relevant authorities request it. At the same time, he reportedly notes that he does not personally know the individual who allegedly leads the network, though they had collaborated in the past on construction work for reality show productions.
The football executive and the “straw man”
Beyond that, two brothers have been placed at the center of investigations, who are estimated by police to be part of the network’s core group. These are the administrative leader of a football team from Menidi, and his brother, who is a municipal employee and active in the affairs of that municipality. The two brothers allegedly used the name of an elderly relative as a “straw man” to operate accordingly, while information indicates that among the prosecuted is another football executive, who is actually president of a company competing in the Super League!
