VAT fraud represents a loss of almost 900 million euros for Portugal – Portugal

The ‘Operação Admiral’ case, which accused 27 defendants, including television presenter Ana Lúcia Matos and her husband, Max, of tax fraud of around 80 million euros by evading VAT payments, is just the Tip of the iceberg. It was the first indictment in Portugal by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the case will soon come to trial. In total, there are 43 ongoing investigations, 15 of which are related to VAT fraud, which represents a loss of almost 900 million euros to the State’s coffers. Last year alone, Portugal opened 26 investigations with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which represent an estimated loss to the community budget of more than 186 million euros.

According to data from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s annual activity report, released this Friday, Portugal managed, in 2023, to seize assets worth 12.3 million euros. Community funds for agriculture and rural development and the recovery and resilience program are the European funding programs with the most cases under investigation by national prosecutors.

Portuguese European prosecutor José Ranito recognizes that the lack of resources does not allow the investigations to move forward and conclude. “We dispute the means of criminal investigation with the national judicial authorities, the national Public Ministry,” said Ranito, in an interview with Lusa.

AND ALSO
WANT A CASE IN LISBON
Mário Leite da Silva, Isabel dos Santos’ former right-hand man, asked that the case, in which he was accused in Angola, be transferred to Portugal, where he could be tried if the case reaches court. Both are accused of crimes related to the alleged embezzlement of 131 million dollars from the state oil company Sonangol.Rare conviction
In 2022 there was only one conviction for corruption of public office holders. Three examiners received bribes in exchange for driving licenses.