Seven arrested in Dutch vehicle tax fraud scheme worth €2.5 million

The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) arrested seven suspects last week in connection with a large-scale vehicle tax fraud scheme, the agency announced Saturday. The suspects, linked to eight separate investigations, are accused of defrauding the Dutch government of about 2.5 million euros.

Authorities seized bank accounts, cars, homes, and phones during the investigations. The suspects, from Amsterdam, Purmerend, Den Bosch, Doetinchem, and Enschede, were released after questioning but remain under investigation.

FIOD suspects that the individuals falsified vehicle appraisal reports to reduce taxes on cars and motorcycles. The reports reportedly included exaggerated or fabricated damage, making vehicles appear up to 90 percent less valuable than their actual worth, which lowered the tax owed.

“The Tax Authority has long detected irregularities in appraisal reports for used cars,” FIOD said, emphasizing ongoing concerns about fraud in vehicle taxation.