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2d ago

German Customs Raid Logistics Firms in Three States, Detain Eight in Suspected Minijob Tax Fraud

Authorities allege a 50-year-old ran a company network that hid full-time work through cover invoices with cash wage payments.

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Bei Durchsuchungen gegen Schwarzarbeit und Steuerhinterziehung in der Lager- und Logistikbranche haben Ermittler acht Menschen vorläufig festgenommen. Als hauptverdächtig gilt ein 50-Jähriger, wie das Hauptzollamt im hessischen Darmstadt mitteilte.
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Bei Durchsuchungen im Zusammenhang mit Schwarzarbeit haben Ermittler in mehreren Bundesländern acht Menschen festgenommen. Sieben davon sitzen in Untersuchungshaft, wie das Hauptzollamt Berlin mitteilte.

Overview

  • Investigators searched properties in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia and made eight provisional arrests, three under existing warrants.
  • The Hauptzollamt in Darmstadt identifies a 50-year-old as the primary suspect tied to logistics services in the air cargo sector.
  • Workers were reportedly registered as minijobbers but used nearly full time, with part of their wages transferred to bank accounts and the remainder paid in cash.
  • Authorities say the network generated about €73 million in revenue from November 2018 to early 2025, including roughly €17 million via cover invoices, with estimated public losses exceeding €7 million.
  • The case grew from anonymous tip-offs, and probes extend to several family members and four additional firms suspected of moving funds between accounts.