In brief
Nine people described as alleged core members of the criminal organisation have been arrested, according to early reports on Thursday, 22 October.
The organisation is alleged to have failed to pay at least 25 million euros in VAT to the Greek state from 2022 up to the present day.
Authorities have seized cash exceeding 500,000 euros, along with luxury cars, jewellery and evidence from the searches.
Investigators allege falsified cash registers were used across a chain with more than 100 stores nationwide, with DAOE working alongside AADE.
The raids
The Organised Crime Directorate (DAOE) started a large-scale operation on the morning of Thursday, 22 October, aimed at breaking up a criminal organisation accused of not paying VAT to the Greek state. The probe is run by the economic crime unit in cooperation with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and the Criminological Research Directorate. Searches are taking place at stores and private homes, and the work is being carried out in strict secrecy. Early reports put the alleged unpaid VAT at at least 25 million euros for the period from 2022 up to the present day.
The alleged fraud
The organisation is linked to a well-known pizza chain with a nationwide network of more than 100 stores across Greece. NewsIT names the chain as Pizza Fun, while other outlets refer only to a well-known pizza chain. Investigators allege that falsified cash registers were used in the stores. The case is reported to involve the owners of the chain, and some reports mention other offences alongside the tax allegations.
Arrests and seizures
Nine people have been arrested so far, described as alleged members of the criminal group's core. During the searches, authorities have seized cash exceeding 500,000 euros, luxury cars, a quantity of jewellery and other evidence.
- Alleged unpaid VAT since 2022 (at least)
- 25000000 EUR
- Cash seized so far (more than)
- 500000 EUR
Data from the article text
The investigation is continuing to identify any further people involved. Official announcements from the Hellenic Police are expected later on Thursday.
What remains open
The figures so far come from early reports, and the VAT amount is described as at least 25 million euros. The cash total and the number of arrests may change as the searches continue. The nine people are alleged core members, not convicted offenders. The reports do not yet say when the suspects will appear before a prosecutor.
Sources and context
- Ειδήσεις - νέα - Το Βήμα OnlineFBI raid on a well-known pizza chain - The trick with the cash registers, 25 million tax evasionΕφοδος του FBI σε πασίγνωστη αλυσίδα πίτσας - Το κόλπο με τις ταμειακές, φοροδιαφυγή 25 εκατ. | ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ · original in Greek
- NewsITOperation by the Greek FBI for “tampered” receipts at “Pizza Fun” - 9 members arrested and 500,000 euros seizedΕπιχείρηση του ελληνικού FBI για "πειραγμένες" αποδείξεις στην "Pizza Fun" - Συνελήφθησαν 9 μέλη και κατασχέθηκαν 500.000 ευρώ · original in Greek
- NEWS 24/7Raid by the Economic Police on a well-known pizza chainΈφοδος της Οικονομικής Αστυνομίας σε γνωστή αλυσίδα καταστημάτων πίτσας - 9 συλλήψεις · original in Greek
- in.grDAOE operation for “tampered” receipts at a restaurant chainΕπιχείρηση της ΔΑΟΕ για "πειραγμένες" αποδείξεις σε αλυσίδα εστίασης - 9 συλλήψεις, κατασχέθηκαν 500.000 ευρώ · original in Greek