The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens, Greece, has charged six individuals, including two customs officers and four customs brokers, for their alleged involvement in criminal networks that were fraudulently importing goods from China and evading customs duties and VAT. This action is part of the ongoing “Investigation Calypso,” which targets organized criminal networks, primarily controlled by Chinese nationals, that manage the entire process of importing goods into the EU.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
The fraudulent business model involved a series of illegal practices to avoid paying taxes and duties. This included misdeclaration and undervaluation of goods, where a small fraction of the actual number of items in a container was declared to customs. For example, it is estimated that for e-bikes, only 10-15% of the bikes were declared. The fraudulent scheme has allegedly been ongoing for at least eight years, causing an estimated loss of at least €350 million in customs duties and €450 million in VAT.
Container Seizures and Charges
Following a raid in late June 2025, the EPPO seized a total of 2,435 shipping containers at the Port of Piraeus, marking the largest seizure of containers to date in the EU. The containers, which are valued at an estimated €250 million, were primarily filled with e-bikes, textiles, and footwear.
- Two customs officers have been charged with repeated false certification and abetting customs fraud.
- Four customs brokers have been charged with repeated customs fraud and inciting false certification.
So far, only a limited number of containers have been inspected, but all have shown evidence of the same fraudulent practices. The estimated damage to the EU budget from the e-bikes alone is conservatively estimated at €25 million in unpaid customs duties and €12.5 million in VAT losses.
Impact and Future Steps
The European Public Prosecutor, Laura Codruța Kövesi, stated that the investigation sends a clear message to organized criminal networks. Since the initial raid, Greek customs authorities have already observed an increase in compliance, with importers declaring goods at prices closer to their actual value. The EPPO is continuing to gather evidence, with the support of Hellenic law enforcement agencies and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), to prosecute those involved.
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Source: European Public Prosecutor’s Office
