A complex investigation conducted by the Economic and Financial Police Unit of Caserta, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor's Office, led to the preventive seizure of assets worth over 112 million euros.
The measure, issued by the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, involved 5 companies and 7 individuals, accused of having perpetrated a sophisticated “carousel fraud” in the energy products sector.
The investigations, aimed at protecting the free market and competition, revealed a fraudulent system that involved the entire commercial chain of fuel sales, from tax warehouses to roadside distributors. The main objective was VAT evasion.
The illicit mechanism was based on the use of “shell” companies, created specifically to act as fuel transferees. These companies, often registered to front men with criminal records, failed to pay VAT, allowing purchasing companies to obtain supplies at prices significantly lower than market prices.
The fraud was divided into two phases:
- 2018-2019: illicit exploitation of the benefits provided by the 2018 Stability Law, which in some cases allowed the non-application of the obligation to immediately pay VAT. The “missing trader” companies, lacking the reliability requirements required by the law, purchased fuel exempt from VAT and resold it, through a whirlwind of false invoicing, to roadside distributors, who in turn did not comply with their tax obligations.
- 2019-2021: use of false declarations of intent to obtain VAT exemption. The “shell” companies fraudulently attested that they were eligible to benefit from the non-taxable regime for supplies, allowing them to purchase fuel without applying VAT.
The companies involved were placed into liquidation or closed before the deadline for filing annual returns, thus evading tax payments.
The 5 companies sold 600 million liters of diesel and gasoline
Overall, during the investigation period, approximately 600 million litres of diesel and petrol were released for consumption, with VAT evasion of over 112 million euros. This allowed an oil distribution company, owner of approximately 300 roadside distributors, to obtain supplies at competitive prices.
The purchasing companies of the fuel, to reduce the tax burden, they used invoices for non-existent transactions for a total value of over 200 million euros, issued by the "shell" companies.
In short
A complex investigation conducted by the Caserta Economic and Financial Police Unit, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor's Office, has led to the precautionary seizure of assets worth over €112 million...
- The order, issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, involved five companies…
- The investigations, aimed at protecting the free market and competition, uncovered a fraudulent scheme that affected the entire supply chain...
- The main objective was VAT evasion.
Key questions
What is the main point of the news?
A complex investigation conducted by the Caserta Economic and Financial Police Unit, on behalf of the Public Prosecutor's Office, led to the precautionary seizure of assets worth…
Why is this news relevant?
The order, issued by the Preliminary Investigations Judge of the Court of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, involved five companies…
Which detail helps us understand the case better?
The investigation, aimed at protecting the free market and competition, uncovered a fraudulent scheme that affected the entire commercial supply chain for the sale of…
The subject of this investigation is very complex and requires attention. It is surprising how much fraud there is in the energy sector, but it is also important that the authorities take action to protect the market and competition.