
Investigation ‘Hermes’: 62 detained in probe into €410 million VAT carousel fraud involving mobile phones
European Public Prosecutor's Office
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has conducted searches in eight countries and detained 62 suspects in a probe against criminal organisations suspected of operating a carousel VAT fraud selling mobile phones and electronic devices. The criminal scheme under this investigation, code-named ‘Hermes’, caused an estimated damage of at least €410 million in VAT losses to several EU Member States. Over 300 searches took place today in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, at the suspects’ homes and offices of companies belonging to the organised crime group, as well as tax advisers, lawyers and transport companies. In addition, 62 suspects were detained in Portugal (39), Spain (20) and Italy (three).





