Two charged with aggravated tax fraud in €40 million alcohol sales scheme

Finnish prosecutors have filed charges of aggravated tax fraud against two individuals accused of evading nearly €40 million in taxes through online alcohol sales, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The suspects allegedly sold alcoholic beverages to Finnish consumers via a German-based webshop while failing to fulfil tax obligations to the Finnish state. The scheme is said to have avoided excise duties and VAT totalling around €40 million.

Customs authorities initially suspected three individuals of tax fraud and aggravated alcohol offences, but prosecutors have since dropped charges against the third suspect and all alcohol-related offences. Yle first reported on the pre-trial investigation in July 2025.