By AML Intelligence Correspondent
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels (Belgium) is conducting an investigation into suspected customs fraud, corruption and the forgery of documents in the Port of Antwerp.
According to the allegations, a customs official and two managers of companies active in customs operations are suspected to have worked together out of the Port of Antwerp on a customs fraud scheme resulting in the loss of import duties estimated at over €11.3 million.
Under the supervision of the investigating judge in Antwerp, seven searches were conducted, three individuals were arrested and several bank accounts as well as cash were seized on 20 January 2026.
The EPPO investigation was initiated in 2024, following a complaint by the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Belgian courts of law.
This action mobilised 48 customs and police officers from the investigation team from Belgium’s General Administration of Customs and Excise (Algemene Administratie van de Douane en Accijnzen), several units from the Belgian Federal Police (CDBC, FCCU) including the Canine Support Unit and could count on the support of the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD).
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.
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Short Description: A major EU customs fraud probe at the Port of Antwerp has led to arrests and over €11 million in lost duties, highlighting critical supply chain vulnerabilities.
Read Time: 2 minutes, 15 seconds
Main Article
A significant customs fraud investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has sent shockwaves through the international trade community, uncovering a sophisticated scheme at Europe’s second-largest port. Authorities allege that a corrupt customs official colluded with two managers from private customs brokerage firms to systematically evade import duties, resulting in an estimated €11.3 million loss to EU financial interests. This case of document forgery and corruption underscores the severe financial crime risks embedded within global supply chain hubs, where internal complicity can bypass critical control mechanisms.
The operation, which culminated in coordinated raids on January 20, 2026, was a massive undertaking. Under the supervision of an Antwerp investigating judge, law enforcement conducted seven searches, arrested three individuals, and seized multiple bank accounts and cash. The probe, initiated in 2024 following a tip from Belgian customs, mobilized 48 officers from Belgian Customs and Excise, specialized units of the Belgian Federal Police, and even received cross-border support from the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD). This level of cooperation highlights the cross-jurisdictional complexity of modern trade-based money laundering and fraud.
For U.S. finance and compliance professionals, this EPPO investigation serves as a stark reminder. The Port of Antwerp is a critical node in transatlantic trade, and such breaches demonstrate how fraud in one jurisdiction can have cascading effects on the integrity of the global financial system. It reinforces the need for enhanced due diligence on third-party partners and a robust understanding of the money laundering and fraud typologies that exploit logistical chokepoints. The EPPO’s active role also signals the EU’s growing assertiveness in prosecuting crimes against its financial interests, which should inform risk assessments for any entity operating in or with Europe.
Short Summary
The EPPO’s crackdown on an €11.3 million customs fraud scheme in Antwerp exposes critical vulnerabilities at major trade hubs. Involving a corrupt official and document forgery, the case is a crucial lesson on supply chain integrity and the evolving tactics of trade-based money laundering. For global financial institutions, it underscores the imperative for vigilant anti-money laundering controls and robust third-party risk management frameworks.
