French Prosecutors Raid Banks in Tax Fraud Case

Five of France’s biggest banks are facing scrutiny in an ongoing investigation into possible tax fraud. BNP Paribas and Société Générale were among the lenders whose Paris offices have been raided by French prosecutors.  Some 150 investigators conducted searches in Paris and the financial district La Defense, the financial prosecutor’s office (PNF) said in a statement. The raids follow five preliminary investigations that were opened in December 2021 in connection with suspected money laundering and aggravated suspected tax fraud related to dividend payments, the statement said.   They’re accused of helping facilitate tax avoidance related to dividend payments. The operation…