Greek tax inspectors posing as tourists conducted a surprise raid on nearly two dozen popular day cruise boats on the island of Santorini, uncovering widespread tax violations, authorities have said.
The operation, codenamed “I’ll Take You on a Cruise,” took place on Monday.
Undercover inspectors from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) waited until the vessels returned to port in the evening before putting on vests with the tax bureau's insignia and beginning their audits.
Out of 23 vessels checked, 10 were cited for tax violations.
The most common offenses were failing to issue receipts for payment, under-reporting sales, and accepting cash payments of over 500 euros, which is against the law.
The raid is part of an intensified effort by Greek authorities to crack down on tax evasion in popular tourist destinations during the peak summer season.