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The investigation conducted by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) has concluded with charges against 25 members of an organized criminal group involved in a large-scale VAT fraud operation. Over the years 2012-2016, the suspects orchestrated a tax carousel using both Polish and foreign entities, revolving around the trade of steel products and plastic granules. This fraudulent scheme exploited the intra-community acquisition and supply of goods.
The criminal operation initiated by importing goods into Poland through companies acting as “missing traders” with a 0% VAT rate. These “missing traders” would then sell the goods to domestic entities, adding a 23% VAT value. However, this tax was not remitted to the State Treasury. The final company in the chain would then export the goods abroad at a 0% VAT rate and claim an undeserved refund of the previously charged VAT.
The ABW investigation exposed VAT fraud, defrauding public receivables, falsifying documents, and money laundering. As a result, assets totaling 1.4 million PLN were seized during the proceedings.
The suspects could face up to 15 years in prison for their actions, with two of them being subject to enhanced sentencing for repeated offenses.
The ABW’s Poznan Delegation, under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Ostrow Wielkopolski, led the investigation. Throughout the process, collaborative efforts were made with prosecutors and partner agencies from other European Union countries.