Dutch Citizen Arrested in the Netherlands After Italian Investigation into VAT Fraud Linked to Mafia in Naples

milan - A Dutch citizen has been arrested in the Netherlands at the request of Italian authorities following an extensive investigation in Italy into large-scale VAT fraud, with connections to the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia.

A resident of the Netherlands has been arrested by Italian authorities after a thorough investigation into widespread VAT fraud in the Southern European country. Media reports indicate a possible link to the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia.

The arrestee, believed to be a Dutch citizen although not confirmed, was apprehended following a European arrest warrant. The suspect is said to be part of a network that orchestrated a system to evade taxes, specifically on the trade of computer products and laundering profits generated from it.

The arrest was carried out at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Offices of Milan, Palermo, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) during a large-scale operation across multiple countries dubbed 'Moby Dick.' This operation led to the seizure of assets and money worth over 520 million euros from involved companies, as explained in a police statement.

In addition to the arrested individuals, 200 more people are under investigation, with 400 companies being scrutinized for involvement. Properties were seized for money laundering, including residential and real estate complexes exceeding 10 million euros in Cefalú (Palermo, Sicily). Additionally, counterfeit invoices amounting to 1.3 billion euros during the period of 2020-2023 were uncovered, with the fraud being conducted through fictitious economic entities and ghost companies.

The suspects, primarily from Italy, are also suspected of reinvesting their profits from the tax fraud into the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. Over 160 searches were conducted in various Italian provinces, targeting homes, offices, and businesses associated with the suspects, according to law enforcement officials.

House searches were also carried out in other EU countries, including the Netherlands, as well as Spain, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and other nations like Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.