EU fines Greece more than 200 mln euros over Chinese tax fraud network

The European Union’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has issued a fine of more than 200 million euros to Greece for failing to stop a wide-scale tax fraud by Chinese criminal gangs importing ultra-cheap goods through the country’s largest port of Piraeus, news portal Politico reported on Monday.

The criminal network dodged import duties and value-added tax on imported footwear and clothing items.

"OLAF can confirm that it has concluded an investigation concerning the fraudulent import of undervalued textiles and shoes into Greece in the period 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2018," OLAF was quoted as telling Politico in a statement when asked on the investigation it had conducted.

"Based on its findings, OLAF has issued a financial recommendation to Greek Customs to recover the sum of 202.3 million euros in lost customs duties related to the fraudulently under-declared values for such products,” it added.

Politico said Greek officials had not commented on the OLAF report.

Piraeus is part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure project and is managed by Cosco Shipping.