Gang used apps to transport people and failed to pay state VAT, loss reaches hundreds of millions
Police and customs officials dismantled two groups that operated passenger transportation through digital platforms and deprived the state of more than 300 million crowns in value added tax.
Gang used apps to transport people and failed to pay state VAT, loss reaches hundreds of millions
Authorities conducted a major operation against two organised structures that used smartphones to book and operate passenger transportation. The perpetrators deliberately concealed actual revenues and avoided paying VAT. The total loss to the state treasury exceeds 300 million crowns. The operation was reported by the Czech Police.
The operation was carried out by a joint team consisting of detectives from the National Centre Against Organised Crime, Plzeň customs officials and officers from the General Financial Directorate as part of the so-called Tax Cobra initiative. Ten people were charged, including eight foreigners and two Czech nationals.
One group began operating in 2022, the other a year later. The investigation revealed that the gangs had built networks of dozens of companies, through which they moved vehicles and money. Straw men served as company directors. Bank accounts designated for collecting fares were regularly changed to make it more difficult to track financial flows.
Police officers and customs officials documented that revenues from fares reached hundreds of millions, with a significant portion of these amounts not declared in accounting records or tax returns. The first group was said to have deprived the state of 70 million, the second of more than 230 million crowns.
Tasks within the structures were clearly divided. Whilst some members were responsible for recruiting drivers and communicating with business partners, others managed accounting matters, established new entities and managed payment flows.
During the raid, authorities secured electronic data, accounting documents and other material. Over six million crowns in cash, eight million on accounts and several private vehicles were seized. Seven of those charged were remanded in custody. If convicted, they face up to thirteen years in prison. The Prague High State Prosecutor's Office is supervising the case.
Europol also cooperated on the case. Investigators analysed an extensive amount of banking, accounting and tax documents together with data from commercial registers.
Source: Google News CZ — Crime (cs)