Fisco dismantles fraud network to VAT on the sale of mobile phones – publico

 
         

                 

                         
                     

                 

 
 

The Tax and Customs Authority (TA) announced on Wednesday it had dismantled a network of tax fraud in the marketing of mobile phones, in business since January 2015, which have caused losses to the state of more than ten million euros. It is more a carousel fraud scheme in which the relationship between several companies from various countries, allows the non-payment of VAT or its improper refund.

This action, developed in conjunction with the anti-fraud units and Fiscal Action Unit GNR (UAF) and led to the arrest of the ringleader of the network claimed, was the result of an investigation the companies linked to the sale of mobile sector, targeting 14 homes and 20 businesses and office certified accountants.

in a statement, the Tax Authority and Customs clarifies that “were recorded so far 42 defendants, of whom 20 are individuals and 22 companies. four high-powered vehicles were seized, 1,000 mobile phones that served the purpose of fraud, a lot of documentation, computers and money, “he adds.

At issue are crimes of conspiracy, fraud and qualified fraud possible money laundering. The “Smart Price” operation involved 69 tax inspectors AT and 64 military Fiscal Action Unit GNR.

According to the Tax Authority, the carousel fraud scheme is the use of mechanics of VAT on operations between companies of different Member States of the European Union, allowing obtain illegitimate economic benefits through the deduction of VAT or request for tax refund that was not delivered to the state. In this network of fraud in research, this figure amounts to about ten million.

The main suspect of being the ringleader of this VAT fraud scheme was arrested on Tuesday and will be present to judge instruction for questioning and application of coercive measures.

the Tax Authority says that since 2015 has taken a “proactive stance”, following the adoption by Spain of reverse charge ( reversal of the taxpayer) of the transactions of electronic equipment from VAT taxable persons, taking into account the probability of a possible relocation to Portugal of fraud involving such products.

in this sense, aT proceeded to Shipping in December 2015, email to national operators in order to alert them to the duty to pay special attention when choosing their suppliers, in particular as regards the existence of a corporate structure by the same and prices by them in order to outwit involvement situations in fraud schemes.

the European Commission estimates that 168 billion VAT revenue loss of EUR in the EU in 2013 were due to the use of fraudulent schemes.