Press Release

Fier Prosecution Office has issued 14 precautionary measures against Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd, accused for “Creation of fraudulent schemes regarding value added tax,” “Concealment of income,” “Laundering the proceeds of criminal offense or criminal activity,” “Abuse of office,” and “Failure of the tax authorities to perform duties,” as stipulated in Articles 144/a, 180/3, 287, 248, and 181/a of the Criminal Code. 

Investigations into criminal proceedings no. 2063, dated December 30, 2024, was initiated following a referral from the Tax Investigation Directorate under the General Directorate of Taxes. 
After a six-month investigation, through proactive methods and in close cooperation with the Tax Investigation Directorate, investigators gathered sufficient evidence that reasonably indicates the commission of the criminal offenses for which the proceedings have been registered.

Fier Prosecution Office, in cooperation with Fier Local Police Directorate and the Tax Investigation Directorate, sought and conducted searches across several company premises and private residences. During the searches, there were seized items linked to the criminal offenses and executed 9 (nine) coercive precautionary measures against the current Administrator of the company, H.X, the former Administrator of ‘Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd,’ L.Ç, as well as several others in leadership roles within the company: L.Ë, A.K, K.Xh, D.G, M.Th, M.I, and E.A. Additionally, 5 (five) persons, mostly foreign nationals, were declared wanted. This intervention aimed to prevent the destruction of evidence, interrupt ongoing criminal activities, and avoid the risk of suspects fleeing.

The investigations substantiated that from 2004 to the end of 2024, the company has consistently reported financial losses, resulting in no revenue being accrued by the Albanian state from its activities over the past 20 years. This is despite the extraction and trading of substantial quantities of fuel in the oil-rich regions of Patos-Marinëz-Fier. According to available records, the company engaged in exports and domestic sales totaling 532,433,614,112 lek between 2004 and 2024. Furthermore, the company has reported tax expenses exceeding the revenue generated from these exports and sales, consistently declaring losses in each fiscal year, culminating in a total loss of 11,691,799,688 ALL over the entire period. Preliminary findings from the investigation establish that the financial damage inflicted on the state budget, particularly through fraudulent VAT claims, amounts to several million euros.

It is suspected that, throughout its operations, ‘Bankers Petroleum Albania Ltd’ has artificially inflated its expenses with the intent of reporting losses in its annual financial statements. As a result, the company has evaded payment of corporate taxes while benefiting from VAT reimbursements through fraudulent schemes, with the assistance of individuals and other contracting entities engaged in various activities. To achieve this objective, the company and its employees are suspected of falsifying various documents and engaging in a range of financial operations with operators and individuals, both within Albania and internationally.
The investigations within this criminal proceeding remain ongoing, as various fraudulent schemes concerning VAT, money laundering, and related offenses are suspected, implicating numerous individuals and entities.
Fier Prosecution reaffirms its commitment to effectively pursuing criminal prosecution and holding accountable those responsible for these tax and fiscal offenses.
Note: Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a final, binding decision by a competent court.