Greek authorities have arrested the owner and several employees of Pizza Fan, one of Greece’s largest pizza delivery chains, as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud involving at least €25 million in unpaid value-added tax (VAT).
Nine people were arrested during a large-scale police operation on Thursday, October 22, targeting an alleged criminal organisation suspected of manipulating sales records to conceal revenue and evade tax payments.
According to Greek media reports, the suspected scheme had been operating since 2022 and involved a nationwide network of approximately 140 stores.
Pizza Fan owner among nine arrested
The arrests were carried out by Greece’s Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, commonly referred to as the “Greek FBI”.
Those taken into custody reportedly include Pizza Fan owner Konstantinos Antaras, a senior company executive, accountants, a computer programmer and several store managers.
Investigators are examining the alleged roles of those involved and how transaction records may have been manipulated to reduce the company’s declared taxable revenue.
The allegations have not been established in court, and the investigation remains ongoing.
More than €500,000 in cash seized
During searches of business premises and private residences, authorities reportedly seized more than €500,000 in cash, luxury vehicles, jewellery and other evidence believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The operation involved the Financial Crimes Investigation Subdirectorate, working alongside Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and the police’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
Authorities are continuing to examine the evidence to determine the full extent of the suspected tax evasion and whether additional individuals were involved.
The investigation centres on alleged VAT liabilities of at least €25 million, although the final amount and the responsibilities of those arrested will depend on the findings of the authorities and any subsequent court proceedings.
Source: Protothema
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