Tax Raid Conducted at Netflix’s Paris and Amsterdam Offices
European authorities have conducted raids at Netflix's offices in Paris and Amsterdam as part of a tax fraud investigation. The raids, which took place today, are part of a preliminary investigation into allegations of tax fraud and money laundering. A French judicial source confirmed these developments, stating that the operation is being led by the elite financial crime unit PNF, which specializes in tracking significant white-collar crime cases targeting large multinational companies in France.
The PNF, which initiated this investigation in November 2022, is known for targeting complex financial crimes. While French authorities conducted searches in Paris, Dutch officials simultaneously raided Netflix's European headquarters in Amsterdam. However, details regarding the specific reasons that led to this investigation have not been disclosed.
Representatives from Netflix in both France and the Netherlands have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter. Additionally, the Dutch public prosecutor's office specialized in financial crimes has directed all inquiries to the PNF. The French judicial source mentioned that French and Dutch authorities have been collaborating on these operations for months.
It is important to note that a preliminary investigation in France does not necessarily imply an official criminal case and does not always lead to prosecution. Nonetheless, this development reflects the ongoing scrutiny by European tax authorities, particularly targeting large tech companies that offer online services and subscriptions in multiple countries.
In a related event last year, Netflix resolved a tax dispute with Italy by paying 55.8 million euros. The streaming giant, which opened its Paris office near the Palais Garnier in 2020, employs about 40 staff in France. Netflix is known for producing most of its original content in collaboration with third-party contractors, leading to global successes such as "Emily in Paris."
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