Man wanted in France for VAT fraud arrested in Caldas da Rainha
The Judicial Police arrested a 45-year-old man in Caldas da Rainha wanted by France for tax fraud and money laundering.
Suspect in "VAT carousel" scheme captured in Leiria
The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested a 45-year-old man in Caldas da Rainha, in the district of Leiria, wanted by French authorities on suspicion of tax fraud and money laundering, according to CNN Portugal.
According to the PJ, the suspect "played a central and operational role" in an organisation that managed shell companies integrated into a scheme known as a "VAT carousel". The man resold mobile phone cards purchased from operators without VAT payment on the black market and to retailers.
The scheme is believed to have caused "enormous damage" to the French State.
The detainee, of foreign nationality, will be presented to the Court of Appeal of Coimbra for the possible application of precautionary measures, while awaiting the outcome of the extradition proceedings to France.
Source: CNN Portugal