South Bohemian police and customs officers arrested and charged a group of four men from Prague, who, according to authorities, failed to pay taxes on the profits from taxi services across the country.
According to criminal analysts, over a period of four years, the organized criminal group (OCG) stole 121 million Czech korunas (around 4.84 million euros) from the state. Two of the accused are in custody. They face up to 10 years in prison for crimes related to reducing taxes, fees, and other mandatory payments.
The arrested individuals managed several companies that hired various drivers. The OCG paid drivers but kept the money from customers and did not pay taxes. Most of the taxis operated in Prague, but they also functioned in other parts of the country. Police have not disclosed the names of the taxi companies involved. Between January 2020 and March 2024, the group defrauded the state of more than 121 million korunas in VAT.
“In early November, investigators and customs officers conducted a joint raid. This was followed by arrests and house searches, during which vehicles, funds in accounts, and cash were seized. Jewelry and real estate were also confiscated. Some of the suspects’ investments in gold and other precious metals required the use of metal detectors during the searches,” said South Bohemian police spokesman Jiří Macner.
In addition to the police and customs officers, the case was also handled by officials from the General Financial Directorate. During the raids, the police confiscated property and money totaling 30 million korunas.
