For two years, a Var service station sold a mixture of diesel and kerosene, much less taxed. Customs officials tracked the fraudulent scheme in mid-July. Estimated amount of damage: 612 euros unpaid.
The Customs Operations Department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur discovered the doldrums in mid-July. For the past two years, a Var service station has sold its customers a mixture of 60% diesel and 40% kerosene.
612 euros in taxes not paid
Traditionally intended for airplanes, this fuel is much less taxed. Motorists, they were persuaded to take only diesel, in this station located between Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël.
The scheme diverted more than 1,2 million liters of petrol normally intended for Nice airport. Or 612 euros in taxes not paid. To get supplies, the manager of the offending station met a driver on a motorway service to supply the airport.
Customs have been alerted by other service stations, surprised by the low prices charged by their competitor, as well as by motorists, who have noticed anomalies after having passed through this service station: car starting to gasp or black smoke. who was escaping.
The main instigator of the fraud was placed in pre-trial detention by an investigating judge of the TGI of Draguignan, in charge of a letter rogatory. The manager faces a prison sentence of three years, will certainly have to reimburse the unpaid 612 euros and a fine of up to twice this amount could be claimed.
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