In November of this year, the Tax and Customs Police officers of the State Revenue Service (SRS) suspended the activities of a criminal group engaged in VAT fraud, causing losses to the state budget in the amount of more than 760,000 euros.
During the search, not only cash, computers and accounting documents were found and seized, but also ammunition, grenades and more than 80 mobile phones.
According to the conclusions of SRS specialists, the criminal group implemented a tax fraud scheme in the period from January 2018 to August 2020, and it was implemented in various areas.
During a series of investigations and operational activities, it was found that the companies involved in the scheme evaded taxes, causing losses to the state budget of more than 760,000 euros. The “customers” (companies) of the scheme reported and included in their accounting records transactions which did not actually take place with shell companies.
Within the framework of the initiated criminal proceedings, the employees of the SRS Tax and Customs Police Department performed procedural activities in Riga, Salaspils and Babīte municipality, including 19 searches of the residences, offices and cars of persons involved in the criminal proceedings. During the search, evidence relevant to the criminal proceedings was found and seized, incl. – cash 19,200 euros, more than 80 mobile phones, computers, accounting documents, more than 100 stamps, ammunition, grenades and 27 blocks of cigarettes without excise stamps. At the head office, the walls schematically depicted the business schemes planned and implemented by the criminal group.
Six persons have been identified as suspects for these offenses, three of whom have been sentenced to non-custodial measures and one to custodial measures.
In connection with the activities of the organized criminal group, criminal proceedings have been initiated in the SRS Tax and Customs Police according to the features of the criminal offenses provided for in Section 218, Paragraph three of the Criminal Law.
No further information is currently provided in the interest of the investigation.
In accordance with Article 19 of the Criminal Procedure Law, no person shall be considered guilty until his or her guilt in committing a criminal offense has been established in accordance with the procedures specified in the Criminal Procedure Law.
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