Fraud with designer fuel: 200 million euros in tax damage!

Fraud with designer fuel: 200 million euros in tax damage!

Sachsen-Anhalt, Deutschland - A fraudulent fraudulent in Europe has been able to collect millions with fake diesel mixtures in a spectacular case of tax evasion. These so-called designer fuels refer to the appearance and smell of diesel, but are assessed differently, which gives the criminal immense advantages. As mdr , the consequences of these machinations can be felt in several EU countries, including Saxony-Anhalt, where a man has recently been arrested. The tax damage should be estimated at over 200 million euros.

A blow to this fraudster was carried out by European investigators in June. Germany, and especially Saxony-Anhalt, acts as an important transit country for the transport of these illegal fuels due to its geographical location. Many of the fake products come into the country via eastern and southern regions, where they are declared as lubricating oil or cleaning liquid. This procedure enables the criminal to save 43 cents per liter of energy tax.

The machinations in detail

Designer fuels are largely made of diesel, but are stretched with other substances such as solvents or light oils. This results in a ratio of up to 70:30, which significantly increases the illegal profit margin. A tank train with 30,000 liters can achieve a tax saving of almost 15,000 euros. But this is not without consequences: the non -tested fuels can potentially be environmentally harmful and damage the engines in the long term.

The fraud with incorrectly declared fuels is not a new phenomenon. Belgium already reported EUR 12.4 million in 2002. In Germany, too, the Federal Audit Office has uncovered alarming figures: Between 2011 and 2014, a loss of 115 million euros in energy and sales tax on the German-Polish border was found. A total of 81 investigative proceedings for energy tax fraud have been initiated nationwide in the past three years.

The warning of the authorities

The General Colleus of General warns for vigilance: In the event of a striking favorable or unusually declared fuel offers, you should be listening and, if in doubt, contact customs authorities. So far, there are no cases known to the Saxony-Anhalt Consumer Center in which citizens have been damaged by designer fuels, but the long-term use of such products has significant risks for the engines, especially because of the not tested.

The dark shops around fake fuel once again show how urgently measures against these fraud are necessary to protect both the environment and consumers. The investigation is far from over and it remains exciting how this case will develop.

The developments related to the fraud are not an isolated case and illustrate how important it is to have a waxing eye on the fuel market. The risks associated with illegal offers should not be underestimated. Everyone should be aware of the dangers that can arise from such machinations.