German Authorities Expose Massive Diesel Tax Fraud Scheme

Seven suspects are in custody for allegedly selling 37 million liters of untaxed smuggled oil as diesel, causing substantial tax losses.

Investigators estimate a tax loss of at least 18 million euros in energy tax and 3.6 million euros in VAT due to the fraudulent sale of smuggled oil as diesel.
The scheme involved a Bavarian company rebranding tax-free lubricant oil from Eastern Europe as diesel fuel and distributing it across Germany.
Authorities conducted nationwide raids at 32 locations, seizing numerous vehicles, including 15 tankers, and uncovering 12,500 euros in counterfeit currency.
Seven individuals, including the company's head, have been arrested, with accusations of supplying untaxed fuel through company-owned gas stations.
During the operation, one suspect attempted to destroy evidence on a flight to Frankfurt, leading to his arrest and the confiscation of potential evidence.