Searches in 19 European countries, including Romania, in a fraud involving second-hand phones sold as new

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is coordinating an investigation into an alleged fraud scheme involving mobile phones sold online, with the damage estimated at approximately €300 million. Searches and seizures began on Saturday, September 26, in 19 European countries, including Romania.

More than 160 searches were carried out by 1,770 police officers, customs agents and tax inspectors. The operation took place in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Switzerland, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the Netherlands.

Seven suspects were arrested in Austria, Germany and Spain, including two alleged leaders of the organization.

According to the EPPO, the groups under investigation allegedly sold more than one million second-hand mobile phones, presenting them to buyers as new devices. The investigation also concerns losses of more than €30 million in VAT in several European Union member states. The information was published by the EPPO on Tuesday, which continues its investigation to establish the full network and the parties responsible.