Latest news with #Calypso
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU Cracks Down on $700M Customs Fraud Ring Tied to Chinese Imports
A coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) across four major cities earlier this week saw the arrest of 10 suspects—including two customs officers—for fraudulently importing goods from China as part of a wider crime ring responsible for 700 million euros ($820 million) in total damages. The customs fraud scheme was allegedly conducted mainly through Greece's Port of Piraeus, and enabled the perpetrators to evade customs duties and the E.U.'s value-added tax (VAT). More from Sourcing Journal China Trade Deal Solidified As Talks With Canada Devolve Tariffs Upend Fashion Sourcing and Disrupt Cash Flow Amid Widening Trade Gap FedEx Faces $170M in Tariff Headwinds as US Cracks Down on De Minimis Textiles, footwear, e-scooters and e-bikes are among the goods flooding the E.U. market that have been seized as part of the raid, called 'Calypso' by the authorities. Identities of the suspects have not been released. The raids took place across Athens; Madrid; Paris; and Sofia, Bulgaria; and encompassed 101 searches at the offices of customs brokers, companies controlled by the organized criminal groups under investigation and the premises of the suspects. The bust extended to offices of tax advisors, lawyers, accounts and transportation companies. As part of the raids, law enforcement agents seized 5.8 million euros ($6.8 million) in different currencies, including Hong Kong dollars, euros in digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. Greek authorities have conducted more than 20 raids, including the home of the alleged ringleader, a Chinese national, according to a report from Athens-based publication eKathimerini. Freezing orders were also issued in the country to seize real estate, boats and bank accounts. And in Spain, 11 real estate assets were also seized, as well as 27 vehicles and luxury items such as bags, watches and jewelry. Across the four major cities, law enforcement also confiscated 7,133 e-bikes and 3,696 e-scooters, as well as 480 containers for further checks and verification in the Port of Piraeus. Firearms and cold weapons were found and seized in the houses of three of the suspects. According to the EPPO, the alleged criminal enterprise is mainly controlled by Chinese nationals, with several separate organizations handling different links of the scheme, including distribution to the market's different member states, as well as sales to end customers. The criminal activity focused on exploiting Customs Procedure 42 (CP42), a mechanism designed to simplify cross-border trade by exempting importers from paying VAT in the country of import, if the imported goods are subsequently transported to another E.U. country. A network of professional enablers including customs brokers, service providers and accounting firms helped facilitate the initial clearance at the Piraeus customs entry point. To evade customs duties, the actors would use false documents to either undervalue or misclassify the goods, and produce false invoices and transport documents to conceal the real destination of the goods. This enabled the actors to evade CP42, as the goods were not forwarded to the declared destinations. Instead, they stored the imports in secret warehouses controlled by the separate criminal organizations and distributed them via illicit channels. From there, the organizations recruited a large network of sham companies used for the fake sales and deliveries to hide the fraudulent chain. This allowed the groups to sell the products at a competitive price—and for cash—since the VAT remained unpaid and customs duties and anti-dumping fees are largely evaded. When the final sale is made, the groups launder the money and send the profits back to China. The investigation was carried out across 14 countries: Bulgaria, China, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. Of the 700 million euros ($820 million) in total estimated damages, more than 250 million euros ($292.5 million) came from evaded customs duties—which contribute directly to the E.U. budget. Another nearly 450 million euros ($526.5 million) came from the unpaid VAT. The total damage caused by the fraudulent scheme under investigation is likely much higher, the EPPO says. The Port of Piraeus is majority owned and operated by China-based Cosco Shipping. EPPO did not indicate whether there were any ties to the Chinese national suspect arrested in Greece.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
New on Peacock in July 2025 — all the movies and shows to watch
Summer is in full swing, and Peacock is turning up the heat with a packed slate of TV premieres and new movies. From steamy hookups to deadly tournaments, July's lineup is full of goodies you won't want to miss. Leading the way is "Love Island USA," where the Casa Amor twist continues into July, keeping every islander on edge. With fresh bombshells, shifting loyalties, and shocking recouplings, there's plenty of love to go around ... but there'll also be some heartbreak and drama too, don't you worry. Mystery fans can dive into "Poker Face," which is racing toward its season 2 finale. Charlie's lie-detecting skills have taken her across the country, but with danger closing in, the final stop might be her most dangerous yet. And in "Twisted Metal" season 2, John and Quiet are thrown into Calypso's deadly demolition derby. With brutal new enemies and the return of John's vigilante sister, Dollface, there's bound to be chaos. No matter your mood, Peacock's July drops are bringing the fire. "Love Island" is far from over, and the heat is only rising. With a brand-new batch of bombshells turning heads, the villa split will stretch into July, giving islanders even more time to stray, sway and spark something new. Expect bold moves, brutal recouplings, and enough drama to shake up every couple. No one's safe, and loyalty has never looked shakier. So if you're looking for more romantic drama, rest assured, it's coming to round out your summer slate of Peacock content. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Stream on Peacock starting July 1 "Poker Face" season 2 races toward its conclusion with a high-stakes finale. Charlie's (Natasha Lyonne) cross-country journey has led her through a string of strange crimes and shady characters, but her uncanny ability to spot a lie is about to be tested like never before. As the season wraps, old threats resurface and the road ahead may hold more danger than answers. Typical for Charlie, though. So we're not worried (much). Stream on Peacock on July 10 After the chaos of last season, John (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) are thrown into the ultimate showdown: a no-rules tournament run by the elusive Calypso. They'll face brutal enemies old and new, including the unhinged Sweet Tooth (Will Arnett). But the road ahead gets even more twisted when John comes face-to-face with someone from his past: his sister, now a masked psycho known as Dollface (Tiana Okoye). Stream on Peacock on July 31 * = is exclusive to Peacock (++) = New episodes of Reelz original series stream live on the Reelz Channel and are available on demand the next day. New Episodes Weekly New Episodes Weekly SAME-DAY NEXT-DAY NEWS NEXT-DAY TALK SHOWS NON-LINEAR/DIGITAL ONLY
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
European prosecutors raid networks importing illegal Chinese goods
June 26 (UPI) -- European prosecutors on Thursday announced raids in multiple nations targeting criminal networks importing fraudulent Chinese goods. The European Public Prosecutor's Office said the 101 raids conducted in Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Spain on Wednesday as part of an investigation codenamed "Calypso" led to the arrests of 10 suspects and the seizure of $6 million in various currencies. The raids also seized 7,133 e-bikes and 3,696 e-scooters, 11 properties in Spain, 27 vehicles and luxury items such as bags, watches and jewelry. The EPPO said the scheme started with goods from China into the EU through the port of Piraeus, Greece in order to evade invoices using false documents to conceal the value of the merchandise. The goods are sold to companies in specific Member states, where they are supposed to be sold on the market. After the goods enter the EU, they are stored in a criminal organization-controlled warehouse. From there, they are transported, using false documents, to France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The documents are destroyed when the goods are delivered and then sold on the black market. An additional 480 containers for further checks and verification in the Port of Piraeus were also seized. The EPPO alleged the scheme caused an estimated $800 million in damages. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
5 days ago
- UPI
European prosecutors raid networks importing illegal Chinese goods
The European Public Prosecutor's Office said it struck down a $800 million criminal scheme involving Chinese Imports coming through the port of Piraeus. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo June 26 (UPI) -- European prosecutors on Thursday announced raids in multiple nations targeting criminal networks importing fraudulent Chinese goods. The European Public Prosecutor's Office said the 101 raids conducted in Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Spain on Wednesday as part of an investigation codenamed "Calypso" led to the arrests of 10 suspects and the seizure of $6 million in various currencies. The raids also seized 7,133 e-bikes and 3,696 e-scooters, 11 properties in Spain, 27 vehicles and luxury items such as bags, watches and jewelry. The EPPO said the scheme started with goods from China into the EU through the port of Piraeus, Greece in order to evade invoices using false documents to conceal the value of the merchandise. The goods are sold to companies in specific Member states, where they are supposed to be sold on the market. After the goods enter the EU, they are stored in a criminal organization-controlled warehouse. From there, they are transported, using false documents, to France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. The documents are destroyed when the goods are delivered and then sold on the black market. An additional 480 containers for further checks and verification in the Port of Piraeus were also seized. The EPPO alleged the scheme caused an estimated $800 million in damages.
Time Out
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A free Caribbean street party will bring tropical vibes to Times Square
One of the most memorable things to do during summer in New York is catch the red-hot, sprawling West Indian Day Carnival, which draws two million people to Brooklyn for a Caribbean carnival done Gotham-style. But if, like us, you can't wait until August for a colorful Calypso spectacle, suit up for some serious fun in Times Square next week. On Tuesday, June 10, New Yorkers can kick off Caribbean American Heritage Month with 'A Caribbean Fête in Times Square' hosted by TSQ Live and Brooklyn-based cultural organization I Am CaribBEING. From 5pm to 7pm, the famed Broadway plaza—between 45th and 46th Streets—will transform into a massive lime (a.k.a. party) celebrating the treasured culture of Caribbean countries like Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, among others. The bash is free, but you must RSVP to secure your spot. Designed as a joyful declaration of "global culture that is here to stay and play," the party includes live sets by songwriter-DJ Private Ryan, so you can groove to the tropical tunes of soca, dancehall, reggae, and more. 'Caribbean American Heritage Month deserves its rightful space in the spotlight,' says I Am CariBEING founder Shelley Worrell. 'This event is more than just music, it's a testament to the strength and power of our heritage, and it is with great pride that we bring the joy of the Caribbean to one of the world's most iconic locations.' 'This event promises to be a sonic celebration of a region whose influence not only reverberates through fashion, food, and music but whose profound contributions to The Arts are often under-recognized and undervalued,' Worrell adds, encouraging revelers to bring their flags and rep every island. I AM CARIBBEING is an award-winning community and cultural venture dedicated to showcasing Caribbean tradition, art, and lifestyle in Greater New York and beyond by supporting local, Caribbean-owned businesses, fostering community, and promoting Caribbean culture. If you feel peckish after all that high-energy revelry, head to Flatbush, known as Brooklyn's Little Caribbean neighborhood and home to the largest community of Caribbean-American-Latinx residents outside of the West Indies. Or take the train to Queens' Little Guyana
