News / Arrests and goods seized as raids across EU uncover massive import fraud

© Jirapatch Iamkate |

Coordinated raids by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in several European countries uncovered a huge flow of goods fraudulently imported from China through the port of Piraeus, evading customs duties and VAT.

It involved massive amounts of textiles, shoes, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other goods, the financial prejudice estimated at €700m ($818m).

Cosco, China’s largest shipping group, is the majority owner of the Greek port, but was not immediately available for comment. The port did not respond either.

The investigation, carried out by EPPO and code-named ‘Calypso’, covered 14 countries – Bulgaria, China, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.

A total of 101 searches were conducted yesterday, in Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Spain, at the offices of customs brokers, companies controlled by organised criminal groups under investigation, and their premises, and at the offices of tax advisers and representatives, lawyers, accountants, and transport companies, EPPO said.

Ten suspects were arrested, including two customs officers, and firearms and ‘cold’ weapons were found and seized in the houses of three suspects.

Law enforcement agents seized €5.8m – €4.75m in Greece and the remainder in France and Spain – in different currencies, including Hong Kong dollars, euros in digital wallets and cryptocurrencies.

In addition, 7,133 e-bikes and 3,696 e-scooters were secured, along with 480 containers, for further checks and verification at the port.

Eleven properties in Spain were also seized, as well as 27 vehicles and luxury items (bags, watches, and jewellery). Freezing orders were also issued in Greece to seize real estate, boats, and bank accounts.

According to reports in the Greek media, the suspects are accused of smuggling, as they allegedly falsified records of goods in containers arriving in Piraeus during customs clearance, as well as money laundering and other offences.