Overview
- Eight men are charged, led by a 63-year-old regional oil dealer accused of buying about 90.5 million liters of untaxed fuel between November 2023 and November 2024.
- The indictment alleges awareness of roughly €44 million in evaded energy tax and details sales to company-run stations as well as direct deliveries to large customers.
- Court-cited analyses found many deliveries were heavy oil or gas oil rather than diesel, leading to 27 counts of fraud against customers and reported vehicle damage claims.
- The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is probing the scheme under Water into Wine and searched the company in August 2025, after which the dealer’s son was detained.
- Investigators say the network extends beyond the defendants, and the court has scheduled roughly 59–60 hearing days through October 22, 2026; earlier raids in November 2024 seized documents, cash and vehicles.