Police have arrested seventeen individuals who are reportedly members of a criminal organization involved in financial fraud after a sting operation on Tuesday morning. According to reports, agents of the sub-directorate of financial crimes, antiquities smuggling, and vice have so far seized at least half a million euros in cash in the major operation that is still underway. The suspects, some of whom are accountants, were involved in fraud schemes linked to VAT refunds from commercial transactions and income tax withholding. Specifically, members of the ring are accused of reporting fake transactions to receive VAT refunds worth thousands of euros. This allowed them to collect VAT refunds they were not entitled to.