Major operation against LPG fraud: 6 companies seized, trustees appointed to 10 companies

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 6 companies have been seized and trustees have been appointed to 10 companies due to allegations that they imported approximately 350-400 thousand tons of LPG annually and evaded taxes through a corporate structure operating in the fuel sector. Judicial proceedings have also been initiated against 27 suspects.

Akın Gürlek's statement is as follows:

'Under the leadership of our President, Mr. @RTErdogan, we are resolutely continuing our fight against crime, smuggling, tax irregularities, and qualified fraud targeting public institutions in full coordination with our Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Within the scope of the investigation conducted by our Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an important operation was carried out in coordination with our Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the Tax Inspection Board, MASAK, the General Directorate of Customs Enforcement, EMRA, and the SDIF.

Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that approximately 350-400 thousand tons of LPG were imported annually through a corporate structure operating in the fuel sector, and that the resulting SCT and VAT obligations were attempted to be eliminated through fake invoice organizations and fictitious export transactions.

In this context, simultaneous operations were carried out this morning in the provinces of Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Kırıkkale, Kırşehir, Mardin, Konya, Hatay, and Niğde; a total of 6 companies were seized, trustees were appointed to 10 companies, and judicial proceedings were initiated against 27 suspects.

We will not tolerate any organized structure that targets the tax security, economic order, and public resources of our state. We will track the proceeds of crime and resolutely pursue legal processes against structures that cause public loss through fake invoice and fictitious export schemes.

On this occasion, I would like to thank our Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for conducting the investigation meticulously, our Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command for successfully executing the operation, and all our institutions and public officials involved in the process, especially the Tax Inspection Board, MASAK, the General Directorate of Customs Enforcement, EMRA, and the SDIF.''

News Source: 12punto