Tax fraud of €100 million through 520 companies: owner of "Choriátiko" arrested
The owner of the "Choriátiko" bakery chain was arrested near Ioánnina while attempting to flee to Albania. The damage to the state is estimated at over €100 million.
Arrest near Ioánnina: the "mastermind" of the "Choriátiko" fraud attempted to flee to Albania
The owner of the "Choriátiko" bakery chain was arrested in the Ioánnina area on Sunday whilst attempting to cross the border into Albania despite an existing ban on leaving the country, according to reports by cnn.gr.
According to information cited by cnn.gr, the police operation had initially been scheduled for Monday morning. However, information that reached the prosecuting authorities indicated that the suspect had departed by road heading towards Albania, resulting in the operation being hastily organised.
The damage to the Greek state, as well as debts to EFKA, is reported to amount to over €100 million. At the centre of the case is the owner, who is alleged to have been living in Dubai and was planning to return to Greece — where he has recently returned.
Approximately 50 other individuals are also under investigation, including accountants and executives of his businesses. The operation is being conducted by the Organised Crime Confrontation Division and continues to be ongoing, with investigations in Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes and Volos.
The investigation, which is reported to have begun in early this year, concerns over 520 companies, in which "straw men" were used to conceal the true ownership and economic activity of these enterprises. According to the same information, the case is not limited to the bakery chain but extends to the entirety of the suspect's business activities.
The owner was previously known from an earlier case of pimping, for which he had been acquitted.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)