Police arrest men from Amsterdam and Almere for dodging €4.2 million in VAT payments
The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) arrested two individuals this week in connection with a tax fraud investigation involving four companies suspected of failing to report over 24 million euros in revenue. A 50-year-old man from Amsterdam was detained on April 8, while his 34-year-old accomplice from Almere turned himself in two days later, on April 10, FIOD reports. Both are accused of leading the fraudulent activities that evaded significant tax payments.
The investigation was initiated following a tip-off from the Dutch Tax Authority. Authorities discovered that four companies operated by the Amsterdam-based suspect failed to submit value-added tax (VAT) returns for multiple years.
A review of VAT refund claims revealed that three of the companies did not file returns in 2021 and 2022, and the fourth filed only one return during the same period. The authorities estimate the businesses generated over 24 million euros in revenue during that time, with more than 4.2 million euros in VAT that should have been reported and paid.
As part of the investigation, the FIOD conducted searches at the suspects' homes, seizing physical and digital records, cash, luxury watches, gold, and a safe. The 50-year-old man had reportedly promised multiple times to provide the required documents to the tax authorities but failed to do so. Investigators suspect he intentionally avoided cooperating with audits and inspections by the tax authorities.
