Police arrest 17 in VAT fraud ring

File photo.

A large constabulary cognition targeting a value-added tax fraud ringing led to 17 arrests, including accountants, authorities said Tuesday.

The probe focuses connected mendacious VAT refund claims based connected fictitious commercialized transactions and income tax withholding, with astatine slightest 500,000 euros already seized.

Police said a starring subordinate of the enactment is allegedly the president of Acharnaikos shot nine and a erstwhile mayoral campaigner successful Acharnes.

The probe besides recovered that television shaper and presenter Nikos Koklonis allegedly received virtual invoices worth €1.5 million. Overall, officials estimation the web issued fake invoices totaling astir €20 million.