Tax fraud in construction in Aveiro and Ílhavo results in seven suspects
The Tax Authority charged seven suspects with tax fraud and money laundering in Aveiro and Ílhavo. The scheme involves concealment of amounts in the sale of properties, totalling 2.2 million euros globally.
Operation "Hidden Value" detects price concealment scheme in house sales in Aveiro and Ílhavo
The Tax and Customs Authority (AT) charged seven suspects in connection with a tax fraud case in the civil construction sector in the municipalities of Aveiro and Ílhavo, according to noticiasaominuto.com. At issue are suspicions of concealment of real values practised in the sale of properties, allegedly involving the buyers themselves.
On Tuesday, the AT, in coordination with the GNR and PSP, executed 18 search and seizure warrants, of which 13 were residential, in the two localities. The investigation is directed by the Department of Criminal Investigation and Prosecution (DIAP) in Aveiro and encompasses a number of companies in the civil construction sector.
According to the AT, the fraudulent scheme consisted of declaring only part of the real value of real estate transactions, allegedly with the buyers' connivance, in order to avoid payment of corporate income tax and VAT. The amount evaded through this method could exceed 1.2 million euros.
In parallel, the same statement points to the existence of simulated transactions between companies in the same group, materialised through alleged "staff transfers" not subject to VAT, or intended to conceal intra-group service provisions effectively liable to taxation — and could also involve outright simulation of transactions, according to the AT.
The practices are said to have occurred between 2021 and 2025, with a global impact estimated at 2.2 million euros in tax revenue, namely in respect of VAT and corporate income tax.
The seven suspects charged in connection with the operation, dubbed "Hidden Value", were subject to the measure of a personal recognisance bond. Documentation, mobile telephones and other electronic equipment considered relevant to proof of the offences were also seized.
The operation involved a total of 114 operatives: 67 AT inspectors, 12 GNR military personnel and 35 PSP officers.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)