Two Thai Women Caught in €6,400 VAT Exemption Scam at German Customs
Two Thai women have been caught attempting to defraud German customs in a VAT exemption scam worth over €6,000. The incident occurred at the Main Customs Office in Singen, with the case now forwarded to the competent fine and penalty office in Karlsruhe.
The women, who remain unnamed, claimed to have designer and luxury fashion items in their luggage, purchased from high-end brands. However, investigations revealed that the goods were bought in Stuttgart, Ingolstadt, and Munich, not abroad as they had claimed. The total value of the goods was approximately €6,400.
The women attempted to obtain a VAT exemption of around €1,220 by submitting false export certificates. These certificates had already been issued in March, indicating a premeditated attempt at fraud. Customs officials found no evidence of the women's claims, leading to proceedings for administrative offenses being initiated against them.
The women could face fines totaling around €1,400 for their actions. The case serves as a reminder of the strict penalties for tax evasion and the importance of honest declaration when traveling with high-value goods.
