Large-scale fuel fraud: Polish gang allegedly evaded €100 million in taxes
German authorities searched a villa in Brandenburg as part of Operation "Water into Wine". A criminal group allegedly sold lubricating oil as fuel smuggled via Poland to Germany since November 2023. The state thereby lost over €135 million in taxes.
Large-scale fuel fraud: Polish gang allegedly evaded €100 million in taxes
As part of the far-reaching investigation codenamed "Water into Wine", German investigators searched a villa in Wildenbruch in Brandenburg's district on Wednesday. The operation was carried out on the orders of the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
Officers stormed the building and forced their way through the doors. For investigative reasons, the authorities provided no information on whether any persons were arrested or evidence seized during the raid.
The investigation focuses on a large-scale fuel fraud in which Polish connections play a role. According to investigators, fuel sold illegally in Germany was smuggled across the border from Poland. The suspects allegedly transported lubricating oils across the Polish border according to customs declarations. The substances were subsequently reloaded in Germany and sold as diesel.
The fraud is alleged to have taken place over a twelve-month period – from November 2023 to November 2024. According to investigators, the criminal organisation operated not only in Germany and Poland, but also in Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania and Latvia. The exact origin of the smuggled fuel remains unknown.
As early as June 2025, authorities arrested two persons suspected of membership in the criminal association. In March, charges were brought against six further suspects alleged to be involved in the fraud. They face custodial sentences of up to ten years.
The German state suffered substantial financial losses through the illegal trade. Unpaid VAT alone amounts to €45 million. In addition, over €90 million in unpaid excise tax on energy products is outstanding.
Source: Interia (https://wydarzenia.interia.pl/zagranica/news-sprzedawali-nielegalne-paliwo-w-niemczech-transport-szedl-pr,nId,23504758)
Source: Interia