Representatives of Sofia City Prosecution and the chief directorate for combating organised crime uncovered on November 2 a major VAT drainage scheme.

The national budget suffered significant losses varying between 600 to 800 million leva.

An organised group sold fuels without the needed documents. Most fuels were also imported illegally.

Policemen gathered evidence for several months. Officers inspected a number of fuel stations, petroleum storage bases and offices in Sofia.

A major company accumulated debt, which was dealt with through fake documentation involving a number of smaller companies, an Interior Ministry press release said.

Through the fake documentation and a chain of fuel re-selling the company managed to avoid paying VAT, in this manner diverting funds from the budget.

The guilty party purchased fuels without requesting or producing the documents needed for such activity, the press release said.

One week ago police uncovered various violations related to fuel selling in Sofia.