In the framework of an operational meeting supported by SELEC, held in May 2025, between officers of the Moldovan National Investigation Inspectorate and the Directorate General of Turkish Customs Enforcement, a smuggling scheme involving household appliances and electronic accessories was uncovered.
The goods were originating from The Netherlands and were destined for Georgia, but on the way to the destination, exiting Republic of Türkiye, the Customs law enforcement officers noticed that in the trailer it’s another merchandise (namely terracotta) than the one officially declared.
Following investigations, it was found out that the merchandise was unloaded in Türkiye with the purpose to be sold there, by this procedure the offenders could recover the VAT.
The Moldovan law enforcement authorities conducted house searches at the three suspects, Moldovan nationals, where information relevant to the case, as well as a computer were seized; while the rented trailer was also seized in Republic of Türkiye.
The damages recorded in this case are surmounting 300,000 euro.
The criminal proceedings are still ongoing in this case. It was also revealed that the suspects in this case are involved in other fraud schemes.
