Dozens arrested across Serbia on suspicion of defrauding the budget of 3.3 million euros through fraud and money laundering

(Patria) - In several cities in Serbia, 32 people have been arrested on suspicion of being part of an organized group through which they improperly claimed amounts for tax refunds and tax credits, committed tax fraud and money laundering, thereby damaging the budget by nearly 390 million dinars (around 3.3 million euros).

In an extensive operation, N.A. (1986) from Belgrade, suspected of being the group's organizer, I.M. (1983), J.S. (1977), I.D. (1977), D.M.M. (1984), M.N. (1987), all from Šabac, as well as T.N. (1981) from Valjevo, were arrested.

Also arrested were V.L. (1997), N.K. (1995), S.D. (1961), V.LJ. (1966), S.L. (1997), V.R.N. (1976), M.M. (2001), S.S. (1993), M.B. (1994), B.B. (2000), K.S. (1965), M.F. (1996), I.N. (1997), M.A. (1998), P.D. (1988), S.I. (1984), P.B. (1995), P.M. (1967), N.I. (1986), Ž.Z. (1980), S.M. (1988), R.B. (1970), B.M. (1995), D.S. (1984) and D.Š. (1973), all from Belgrade.

Three more individuals are being sought.

It is suspected that between 2018 and 2024, they established a number of companies which they used for fictitious sales of non-functional pumps, generators, cables, and similar goods, which they had previously acquired on the illegal market.

Based on false invoices in which the price of these goods was significantly increased compared to the market price, they declared false value-added tax (VAT) based on which companies were paid VAT refunds in the amount of 389,702,998 dinars.

It is suspected that, in order to conceal the illegal origin of the money, they transferred the money through false invoices from the current accounts of their companies to the personal accounts of the suspected group members, who then withdrew it and handed it over to N.A.

The suspects have been detained for up to 48 hours, after which they will be brought before the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad with a criminal complaint.