Hungarian officials detained a man impersonating Slovak diplomat who is suspected of smuggling a goods from Slovakia as part of a VAT fraud scheme. He imported the goods to Hungary through a network of fictitious companies which did not pay VAT, Slovak Radio reported October 3. He is alleged to have avoided paying more than €1.5 million in tax.
Hungarian public TV was the first to break the news on the arrest. It also showed the luxury cars of fake diplomat complete with diplomatic license plates. The gang managed to keep their activities a secret for 18 months.
Tax office spokeswoman Alexandra Szarkezy spoke about a house search during which the man who pretended to be a counsel of Slovak Embassy to Hungary threatened with police with his non-existent diplomatic immunity. After he was told he would be taken into preliminary custody, he asked to be placed in a wellness hotel. Slovak Radio opines, however, that the case might be even more serious than just illegal import of food because during house searches in 32 sites, arms and ammunition were also found.
(Source: Slovak Radio/RTVS)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
