Investigation Troja: EPPO uncovers criminal organisation suspected of having sold over one million used mobile phones as if they were new
European Public Prosecutor's Office
(Luxembourg, 29 September 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cologne (Germany) has been conducting searches and arrests since last Saturday against a criminal organisation suspected of having sold over one million mobile phones as if they were new, while in reality they were used. The criminal scheme caused an estimated damage of at least €300 million to EU consumers and a VAT loss of over €30 million to several EU Member States. 1770 police, tax and customs officers carried out over 160 searches and seizures in 19 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands), and a witness was heard in the UK. Seven suspects were arrested in Austria, Germany and Spain, including the two leaders of the organisation.
