AirPods trade used in alleged €20 million VAT carousel

Prosecutors say shell companies created fictitious cross-border supply chains for Apple AirPods so that VAT could be reclaimed in Germany even though it had never been declared or paid. The EPPO’s Echo investigation covers an alleged €20 million fraud between 2019 and 2023.

CompletedThe LedgersSource date · 26 August 2026

Wireless earbuds and a chain of trade documents — AI-generated editorial illustration

The record

Five suspected organisers were arrested in Czechia on 26 August 2026. Eight other people had already been convicted in connection with the case; those convictions do not determine the charges against the newly arrested suspects.

Based on reporting from: EPPO.

Source documents

EPPOeppo.europa.eu

File updates

28 September 2026Status updated
Completed
Editorial research status recorded.
15 September 2026First published
Report published

Editorial note

This account draws on the publications listed below, compiled on 15 September 2026. Later developments have not been checked.

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