Fraudsters, known as ‘Missing Traders’, collect VAT but fail to remit it to tax authorities, while other companies claim refunds on taxes never paid. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) identifies this organized crime as a major threat, with estimates suggesting annual losses of at least €10 billion. Despite plans for a real-time reporting system by 2030, experts argue immediate action is necessary, particularly in Germany, where the lack of digitalization exacerbates the issue. New detection systems like TaDeA are being developed to combat these fraudulent networks.