Italy identifies over 6,000 tax frauds

Italy has identified 6,100 people involved in tax fraud and are suspected of transferring at least €2.7 billion ($3.6 billion) to offshore accounts in 2009, a top police official has said.

Italy has identified 6,100 people involved in tax fraud and are suspected of transferring at least €2.7 billion ($3.6 billion) to offshore accounts in 2009, a top police official has said.

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The number of suspects was 31 per cent higher than in 2008. Police have also intensified their fight against offshore bank accounts and are investigating 1,660 more such cases, Cosimo D'Arrigo, finance police commander, said on Wednesday.

"The investigations involve financial institutions and illegal companies with partners in tax havens, as well as consultants, lawyers and financial intermediaries... that bring together foreign banks and clients, thus becoming white collar workers at the service of a crime ring," D'Arrigo said.

Italy's main tax collection agency, Agenzia dell'Entrate, has said it had recovered €9.1 billion ($12.1 billion) in 2009 in its battle against tax evasion.

Total revenue collected for the year were 32 per cent higher than the previous year when a record €7 billion were recovered, according to tax agency.

D'Arrigo said financial police have seized €307 million worth of tax evaders' property, five times as much as 2008.