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The pre-trial investigation was launched after the FNTT collected sufficiently robust data on possible large-scale VAT fraud by a group of accomplices, misappropriation of high-value foreign assets, and damage to the state. In the very large-scale investigation, atypical investigation methodologies were used, with covert investigation actions to uncover the fraudulent mechanisms used in the alleged purchase and sale of consumer goods such as rapeseed oil, urea fertilizers, granules. It is believed that to hide the data, to complicate the traceability of the transactions, some of the companies owned by the defendants were “bought” or managed by foreign people who did not know anything about their activities, did not really represent said companies, did not conclude transactions. The shell companies were also run by Lithuanians, socially vulnerable people.
This investigation was also distinguished by the fact that during the pre-trial investigation the defendants took active defensive actions (not just legal) in an attempt to undermine the success of the investigation. Through the public information channel in the press and television, the defendants repeatedly tried to sow doubts in the public sphere about the legitimacy of the investigation initiated and to compromise the FNTT and its officials. The defendants, with the help of defenders, made subjective and unrealistic assumptions, possibly to influence the course and outcome of the pre-trial investigation and undermine the image of the FNTT.
The pre-trial investigation was led by Aidas Amparavičius, Prosecutor of the Second Prosecution Division of the Panevėžys Regional Prosecutor’s Office. During the investigation, European legal aid requests and investigation orders were sent to several foreign countries.
According to the data of the preliminary investigation, the owners of the capital companies AS, Ą. C. and AS engaged in fertilizer exchanges with each other, which, according to officials, did not actually take place. The partners are suspected of falsifying invoices to manage existing companies and manage inactive individual companies, in order to avoid the mandatory value added tax (VAT). Vilnius residents used the “missing trader” scheme, which is well known to officials, when intermediary companies are allegedly included in the chain of transactions, allegedly ceasing their activities without paying taxes to the state.
Those responsible for the FNTT investigation estimated that between 2017 and 2018, one of the jointly-owned companies bought potentially fictitious fertilizers for more than half a million euros from inactive companies owned by other members of the group. It is suspected that more than 164,000 items were prevented by falsifying invoices and providing false VAT data and reports. taxes in euros.
Two of the previous defendants under a similar scheme in 2017-2018 allegedly falsified the documents of another company. It is suspected that, being their de facto leaders, these Vilnius residents artificially created chains of transactions for the sale of goods in order to hide taxes here as well. It is suspected that in this way it was avoided to pay the state more than 75 thousand. EUR VAT.
Along with these Vilnius businessmen, Kaunas JTS and DA R residents will sit in the dock, as well as indicted for large-scale fraud, fraudulent accounting, and tax evasion.
It is suspected that in 2017-2018, the JTS may have falsified 71 invoices by entering false information in them, thus avoiding VAT. In cooperation with Vilnius residents who were being tried together and taking advantage of the dormant companies they controlled, he allegedly bought rapeseed oil from them for more than 1 million. euros. It is believed that by presenting falsified invoices and accounting documents to the responsible authorities, the JTS may have avoided the VAT to be paid, which amounted to more than 235 thousand. euros.
The director of another Kaunas company is also accused of using known false data after using documents written on behalf of several companies, that is, to record alleged transactions in the accounts. The company is believed to have later included more than 235,000 for no reason. VAT on purchases, thus reducing the VAT charged to the budget. According to the investigation, due to such actions of the manager, the company could have avoided more than 168 thousand. payment of corporate income tax to the state budget.
According to prosecutor A. Amparavičius, who led the pre-trial investigation, almost 970,000 LTL may not have been paid to the state budget due to the defendants’ actions. taxes in euros. In this case, the State Tax Inspection has initiated a civil action. The property right of the accused over the property, whose value amounts to almost 146 thousand. euros.
The Penal Code establishes that a person is punished with a fine or arrest or imprisonment of up to four years for fraudulent accounting. Large-scale fraud is punishable by up to eight years in prison.
The case was transferred to the Kaunas Chamber of the Kaunas District Court.
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