Tax fraud worth €100 million: Arrest of Giannakopoulou of "Choriátiko" in Ioánnina
More than 50 arrests have been made as part of an investigation into a tax evasion ring involving over €100 million connected to the "Choriátiko" bakery chain.
Arrest of businessman in Ioánnina for tax evasion exceeding €100 million
According to iefimerida.gr, a large-scale police operation is underway to dismantle an economic and tax fraud ring connected to the "Choriátiko" bakery chain. The estimated damage to EFKA (the social security fund) and the tax authorities exceeds €100 million.
So far, more than 50 arrests have been made. Investigations are continuing in Athens, Mykonos and Rhodes, with further arrests not ruled out.
At the centre of the case is businessman Ángelos Giannakopoulou, owner of the "Choriátiko" chain. The authorities are also investigating other individuals for possible involvement in the operation of the alleged ring.
The authorities are examining a network of approximately 520 companies to establish how many are shell companies and which are connected to the activities under investigation. The information expected from AADE (the independent authority for public revenue) is considered crucial. As part of the investigation, the possible use of "straw men" — individuals who appear formally as owners or managers — is being examined, whilst violations relating to insurance contributions, tax obligations and fictitious transactions are being investigated.
The circumstances of Giannakopoulou's arrest are of particular interest. According to information from iefimerida.gr, the businessman had been in Dubai recently and returned to Greece shortly ago, despite a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country imposed in relation to earlier cases.
He made regular trips by road to Albania and from there by air to Dubai, thereby circumventing the travel ban. The police operation to arrest him had initially been scheduled for the previous week, following information obtained from telephone surveillance that he would return to the country.
When it became apparent that Giannakopoulou intended to leave again via Albania, the operation was accelerated. His arrest took place in Ioánnina, on the road towards the Greek-Albanian border.
The coming period is considered critical for the full documentation of the corporate network and the determination of the actual extent of the damage. The findings of AADE, corporate connections and transactions under examination are expected to clarify the role of each person involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)