Today, officers from the Internal Affairs of EL.AS. executed an important operation in Chalkida as part of an investigation into a corruption case involving tax officials. According to the announcement from the Internal Affairs Service, a criminal organization comprising tax officials and private individuals was involved in facilitating or omitting procedures, abusing tax authority, and extorting money from businessmen.
Since at least November 2023, the organization members have been manipulating fiscal procedures and extorting money from businesses by leveraging their official positions. They demanded bribes to process pending taxes, acting contrary to their duties. The organization’s leader, who coordinated the receipt and distribution of bribes among members, also gathered pertinent information about companies to continue their illicit activities.
Ministry of Citizen Protection Announcement:
The Internal Affairs Service of the Security Forces has dismantled a criminal organization involving tax officials and individuals engaged in facilitating, omitting procedures, abusing tax authority, and extorting businessmen for money.
Details:
– Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
– Arrests: 7 members (5 employees, 2 individuals)
– Additional Suspects: 6 individuals included in the case file
Charges Filed:
– Criminal organization
– Bribery of an employee by profession
– Breach of duty
– Extortion and attempted extortion by profession
– Bribery of an employee
– Illegal possession of weapons
Key Findings:
– Employees exploited their positions to demand and receive bribes to avoid blocking refund procedures for beneficiaries.
– Special investigative techniques and analysis of data revealed a criminal organization with hierarchical structure and distinct roles, including a two-member subgroup.
– Since at least November 2023, the organization facilitated or omitted fiscal procedures contrary to their duties and blackmailed businessmen for money to process pending taxes.
– The leader coordinated the receipt and distribution of money among members and gathered information on companies to continue their criminal activities.
During the Operation:
– A citizen was found entering a Public Economic Service building with a file containing 10,000 euros, which was in the possession of an employee.
– Searches in houses, vehicles, and possessions of the accused led to the confiscation of:
– 78,795 euros
– 10 mobile phones
– 4 notebooks with handwritten notes
– Photocopies of tax cases
– A double-barreled shotgun without a license
Outcome:
– 17 cases of extortion discovered
– Illegal gains: 95,600 euros over three months
– Those arrested will be presented to the competent prosecuting authority.
