The Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases, in concert with investigation officers of the National Investigations Inspectorate, on August 20 carried out 14 searches within a criminal case of money laundering and tax evasion in considerable amounts. Four persons were arrested, IPN reports.

It was determined that decision makers of a number of commercial organizations in 2016 – 2018 created a scheme to avoid paying value added taxes and income taxes to the value of over 8 million lei.

Different beneficiary companies, aiming to avoid paying taxes and to get cash from the performed activities, sought help from persons who managed dozens of felonious companies. These made fictitious fiscal invoices where they indicated the delivery and sale of goods that actually didn’t exist. In exchange for inexistent goods, the beneficiary economic entity transferred money to the accounts of felonious companies. This was withdrawn by the executives and transmitted in cash to beneficiaries for commission.

Money laundering in considerable amounts carries a penalty of five to ten years in jail or a fine of 650 000 to 800 000 lei, while tax evasion in considerable amounts a penalty of at most five years behind bars or a fine of 250 000 to 350 000 lei.