Hungarian Authorities Uncover 11.4 Billion Forint Tax Fraud Scheme, 15 Arrested in Major Raids

Budapest, Hungary – The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated budget fraud scheme, resulting in the apprehension of 55 individuals and the arrest of 15. The operation, which spanned 78 locations, targeted three organized criminal groups involved in the vegetable and fruit trade linked to the Budapest Wholesale Market. According to NAV, the perpetrators caused a total damage of 11.4 billion forints to the domestic budget, with nearly 10 billion forints directly originating from activities at the Budapest Wholesale Market. The investigation revealed that the groups had established a complex invoicing chain behind what appeared to be legitimate trade. During the raids, authorities seized assets valued at 4.9 billion forints, including cash and other valuables. The operation was conducted with the assistance of NAV's three criminal directorates, the Operations Directorate, the MERKUR Operations Unit, and the Counter-Terrorism Center, highlighting a coordinated effort to combat serious financial crime.