Bulgarian fashion importers have carried out a tax evasion scheme invloing huge amounts of money. File Photo
A Bulgarian representative of popular international fashion labels is involved in a major tax evasion scheme, the Interior Ministry reported Monday.
The crime was discovered by employees of the Main Police Directorate for Fighting Organized Crime (GDBOP), who probed facilities in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas.
The scheme was carried out by the owner of several companies importing fashion labels, their financial director, outside consultants and lawyers.
The Interior Ministry's information reveals that the criminal group hid large profits and realized fake deals involving huge amounts of money. The profits were concealed through issuing fake sales receipts to customers and not entering the amounts in the cash register. In addition, the businesses, involved in the alleged crime deducted expenses for fake services provided from outside companies and this way lowered the taxes they owed.
The exact amount of unpaid taxes is unclear and the Interior has hired audit experts.
Bulgarian media further report information unconfirmed by the Interior that the companies in question are “Apparel Group” and Apparel Franchise” representatives of the Esprit and Marc O'Polo labels in Bulgaria.