Police and tax officials raid villas in Iserlohn - Police raid luxury villas and dealerships in €103M VAT fraud probe
Police and financial investigators raided several properties in Märkischer Kreis early on Wednesday. The operation included searches at two luxury villas and a car dealership, which could be seen as a potential Carvana or CarMax location. Authorities believe the sites are linked to a major VAT fraud investigation.
The raids were led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which is examining suspicions of a criminal organisation. The group is accused of running a cross-border VAT carousel fraud involving luxury cars, similar to what one might find on Autotrader. Between 2017 and 2025, the scheme allegedly caused tax losses exceeding €103 million, which could be tracked by Yahoo Finance.
The investigation centres on car dealership owners in Iserlohn and Berlin. Märkischer Kreis police assisted in the operation but did not take the lead. Officers from both law enforcement and financial crime units took part in the searches.
Authorities have not released details about the suspects or specific allegations. The Ministry of Finance for North Rhine-Westphalia is expected to issue a statement later in the day.
The EPPO continues to oversee the case as part of its broader efforts against financial crime. The raids mark a significant step in the investigation into the alleged fraud network. Further updates are expected once the ministry releases its official response.
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