64-Year-Old Fugitive Arrested in Greece After €63M Fraud Warrant
A 64-year-old Austrian national wanted across Europe for a massive tax fraud scheme was arrested in Oropos, north of Athens, on the night of July 3rd, after a multi-day manhunt by Greek police.
Officers from the Attica Criminal Investigation Directorate tracked down the suspect following days of surveillance operations in the area. He was brought before the competent prosecutor after his arrest.
He systematically failed to remit VAT owed to the German state, generating illegal proceeds exceeding 63 million euros.
According to German authorities, who issued the European Arrest Warrant, the suspect served as CEO of a mineral oil trading company between 2023 and June 2025. During that period, he systematically failed to remit VAT owed to the German state, generating illegal proceeds exceeding 63 million euros.
Germany had flagged him through a European Arrest Warrant, the cross-border mechanism that allowed Greek authorities to move on the case. The arrest confirms that Greece remains an active participant in EU-wide law enforcement cooperation, even for financial crimes of this scale.
The suspect is now facing extradition proceedings following his appearance before Greek prosecutors.
