Cypriot authorities assisted in an international investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the Cyprus Police participating yesterday, September 16, 2026, in the Joint Day of Action, during which coordinated operations were carried out in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, and Cyprus.
Yesterday’s police operations were carried out as part of an investigation into a large-scale fraud and VAT evasion case totaling 15.7 million euros from mobile phone sales.
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According to the evidence under investigation, the perpetrators of the fraud developed a cross-border trade network involving companies in Bulgaria, Germany, and Cyprus, in order to illegally evade paying VAT on online sales of mobile phones in Germany. Based on the evidence under investigation, it is estimated that the total amount of fraud and unpaid VAT amounts to 15.7 million euros.
Searches of the suspects’ residences and premises, as well as the facilities of the companies involved, led to the arrest of three individuals in Bulgaria and one individual in Germany. They also led to the freezing of assets belonging to two suspects and two companies in Germany, totaling 20.5 million euros, while the competent authorities in Germany are taking steps to recover the assets of the companies involved. So far, 3.3 million euros have been recovered from one of the companies involved.
In Cyprus, a total of five companies and one residence were searched in Nicosia and Larnaca. During the searches, various documents and electronic data were identified and seized as evidence. As part of the investigation into the case, statements are being taken from various individuals.
On the part of the Police, the Crime Fighting Department, of the Police Headquarters, along with members of the Office for the Execution of European Warrants and Requests and members of the Cybercrime Sub-Directorate.
The investigations in our country were conducted under the supervision of the European Delegate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Cyprus, with the participation of the Cyprus Police and the Tax Department, as well as investigators from Germany, who arrived in Cyprus to assist in yesterday’s joint day of action.
