Μake us preferred on Google Tax authorities and police are searching for two businessmen suspected of playing central roles in a large-scale tax evasion and social security contribution fraud case involving nightlife and catering businesses in Thessaloniki.
The investigation, conducted under the codename “Front Men” (strawmen) by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and Greek Police, has led to 18 arrests, while the two businessmen remain at large.
The case involves an alleged network of more than 2,000 businesses, 1,300 nominal managers, 700 individuals suspected of exercising actual control over the companies and more than 4,200 tax registration numbers. Authorities estimate that unpaid taxes and social security contributions exceed 203 million euros over three years, including 68 million euros in VAT and income tax and 135 million euros owed to the Social Security Fund (EFKA).
The investigation involved 60 AADE auditors and seven prosecutors and covered more than 700 business locations.
File photo: AADE Gov. Giorgos Pitsilis.
Complaint over disclosure of probe details
Meanwhile, AADE Governor Giorgos Pitsilis has filed a criminal complaint against persons responsible for publishing details of the operation while it was still underway, arguing that the disclosures could have compromised the investigation and endangered officials.
According to AADE, two consecutive reports published by a news website on Friday revealed the initials of the two businessmen being sought, as well as the names of AADE officials who had travelled to Thessaloniki to coordinate searches, detentions and arrests.
Following publication of the reports, Pitsilis contacted Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, requesting police assistance in locating the two suspects. He also informed the prosecutor of the Supreme Court and filed a complaint with the Athens Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The complaint requests an investigation into possible offences involving breach of official secrecy, disclosure of confidential information relating to the preliminary criminal investigation and assisting an offender.
In a statement, Pitsilis stressed that the case did not concern criticism of AADE or its leadership. He said that during his nearly 11 years at the head of the country’s tax and customs administration, he had never taken legal action against a journalist or media outlet over criticism, even when it was malicious or offensive.
Major probes into financial crime over past month
The country has witnessed a series of high-profile investigations into alleged tax evasion, money laundering and organized financial crime since last month, exposing extensive corporate networks and prompting dozens of arrests.
One of the most prominent cases, known as “Basketgate“, concerns suspected match-fixing and bribery in Greek pro and amateur basketball. The investigation covers approximately 50 games between 2016 and 2026 and has implicated former Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vangelis Liolios, referees and businessmen. Six people were initially targeted by arrest warrants, with several placed in pretrial detention. The case has also prompted an examination of the defendants’ financial assets and transactions.
In the business sector, three major investigations have uncovered alleged tax-evasion mechanisms concealing or laundering tens of millions of euros. The Pizza Fan case concerns suspected undeclared sales through electronic ordering systems, with estimated tax losses exceeding 35 million euros and 23 arrests.
The Horiatiko bakery chain investigation involves an alleged network of approximately 430 companies, with 59 arrests and estimated losses of nearly 77 million euros in taxes and social security contributions.
