Two customs officers have been charged by European prosecutors in Athens with repeated false certification, causing unlawful gains and damaging the EU budget by abetting customs fraud. Four customs brokers have been charged with repeated customs fraud and inciting false certification.
The EPPO-led investigation, named “Calypso,” targeted criminal networks managing the entire circuit of goods imported from China into the EU, including distribution across member countries while evading customs duties and committing large-scale VAT fraud.
The investigation involved textiles, shoes, e-scooters, e-bikes and other goods imported from China. The proceeds were laundered and sent back to China.
“These highly organized criminal networks have specialized in this kind of fraud for years,” said European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi in a statement.
“Operation Calypso sends these criminals a clear message: the rules have changed and there are no more safe havens. Now, we must transform this spectacular success into systematic work. We require dedicated and specialized police, customs, and tax investigators throughout the entire EPPO zone,” Kövesi added.
These networks — mainly controlled by Chinese nationals, according to EPPO — are also involved in money-laundering and sending the profits back to China.