Locks were placed on five gas stations in Anixi, Ilion, Pikermi, Xanthi and Imathia, following a large-scale operation by the audit services of the Independent Public Revenue Authority, in collaboration with the Hellenic Police.

In particular, the audit led to two-year sealing of five offending petrol stationsin Xanthi, Alexandria Imathia as well as Anixi, Pikermi and Ilion Attica.

Customs and tax auditors of the AADE and policemen of the Organized Crime Directorate and OPKE of the Hellenic Police participated in the planning and implementation of the action, while the coordination was done by the AADE Business Hall.

Specifically, after a risk analysis, through the algorithms available to the special investigation forces of the AADE, gas stations were targeted, based on specific criteria. Tax and customs auditors, in collaboration with EL.AS levels, put the targeted gas stations under discreet surveillance, while at the same time the executives of the Chamber of Commerce received in real time the data transmissions from the input – output systems of the gas stations.

After processing the data and comparing the transmissions, a central order was given for an on-the-spot check at the monitored stations, during which it was found:

  • falsification methodology of input-output mechanisms,
  • transmission of a reduced value tax document to the AADE database.

As a result of the audit:

  • a two-year seal was imposed on five (5) gas stations, while in the case of the Alexandria Imathia gas station, the Prosecutor’s Office also ordered the arrest of the owner, with the procedure of autoforos.
  • an investigation order was issued to identify and take immediate measures to stop the supply of fuel at the stations connected to the sealed ones (in terms of the owners or the persons who manage them);

Further seven gas stations were identifiedwho had not sent the prescribed certificates and declarations to the fuel trading companies and for whom special orders to stop fuel supply were issued.⁠

This will be followed by the interruption of supply to the stations connected to the sealed stations, in accordance with the due diligence provisions.

The Governor of the Independent Public Revenue Authority, Giorgos Pitsilis, said: “Intensive checks at petrol stations using advanced analytical tools can deliver key blows to contraband. The effort continues with undiminished intensity, to protect citizens and businesses».