Cross-border transfers have expanded Spain’s fuel-tax investigation into a European financial case.
MADRID, SPAIN
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has linked businessman Víctor de Aldama and several associates to the alleged laundering of €27.9 million connected to suspected value-added tax fraud in Spain’s fuel industry. The findings were communicated to National Court judge Santiago Pedraz, who is overseeing a broader investigation into fraudulent hydrocarbon transactions.
Portuguese authorities detected unusually large transfers arriving from four Spanish fuel companies between 2022 and 2024. Prosecutors allege that Canary Island, Salamanca Fuel, Casmar Hidrocarburos and Obaiol 3000 sent money to Portuguese shell companies under the appearance of legitimate fuel-supply payments while avoiding the corresponding VAT declarations.
Investigators believe approximately €9 million later returned to Spanish accounts, while €3 million was transferred to the United Kingdom and another €3 million was distributed among accounts in Poland, France, Belgium, Lithuania, Italy, Germany and Uruguay. About €13 million remained in Portugal, where prosecutors have reportedly seized €11.8 million.
One of the companies under examination is Atmosferaudaz Unipessoal, a Portuguese business whose sole shareholder is reportedly Aldama. Its four bank accounts allegedly received more than €7.4 million. Prosecutors are investigating whether those accounts were controlled by the businessman and used to return illicit proceeds to Spain, including through property investments.
The European inquiry is connected to the Spanish National Court’s investigation of an alleged VAT fraud exceeding €180 million in the fuel sector. Aldama, businessman Claudio Rivas and other individuals remain under investigation for their possible roles in the network. The financial movements and asset seizures support further judicial scrutiny, but they do not themselves establish individual criminal responsibility. Prosecutors must still prove that the transactions were fictitious, that the money originated from tax fraud and that each suspect knowingly participated in its concealment.
Lo visible y lo oculto, en contexto. / The visible and the hidden, in context.