Audit Forces Pose as Mystery Guests at Greek Hotels to Nose Out Tax Evaders

Dozens of hotels across Greece will be “accommodating” a new team of so-called mystery guests on a mission to expose businesses that are tax evading.

Working for the finance ministry’s General Secretariat for Public Revenue, the auditing team is out to investigate whether some 1,545 hotels are overcharging, issuing tax receipts and declaring true occupancy figures by cross-referencing via on-the-spot visits as well as through online booking sites.

The checks, carried out in three parts, run through the end of July, from August 1 to August 15, and between August 16 and 31.

The government is aiming through the “mystery guests” method to gain insight into the quality of services offered and tax practices. The tourism ministry is working together with the general secretariat and has provided a list of 10,114 hotels operating in Greece.

The government said it plans to launch similar “secret” checks in other areas  of the economy where tax evasion is common including medical services, insurance, construction and car repair shops.