€700,000 ebike fraud?

[Wisper Bikes]

MONTREUIL, France - French authorities have uncovered a vast financial fraud network in a large-scale investigation that involved over 70,000 Chinese-made e-bikes across six storage sites in the country. The losses amount to €6 million.
Starting in Autumn 2024, investigators for the National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED) conducted several sting operations to crack down on networks smuggling Chinese-branded e-bikes into the country. The criminal networks had one main mission in mind: to avoid the anti-dumping duties applied to e-bikes to create a fair European trade market, as well as taxes.
‘Modus operandi’
The DNRED officers identified the supply chain for these fraudulent bikes, which started with the illegal import of the goods through “different European ports” via front companies and false documentation. Just over 70,000 e-bikes were stored across six different French warehouses, regularly shifting from address to address and carrying no information about their origin or ownership.

READING TIP!
Europe-wide fraud investigation involves e-bikes from China
In March 2025, the DNRED raided these warehouses and seized the e-bikes, calculating a loss of nearly €6 million in fraudulent duties and taxes. The investigation identified several fraudulent import networks for Chinese e-bikes operating in the country, and officials concluded that the e-bikes were intended for sale on major online trading platforms.
Wider Europe implicated
In conjunction with the French Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), French customs has informed its European partners of several suspicious storage sites across Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. This year alone, there have been several raids conducted around Europe to expose these complex networks, including Project Calypso, a data-based, comprehensive analysis of EU trade flows aimed at illegal e-bike imports. The total damages of Project Calypso so far are estimated to be approximately €700 million.
Unprecedented case
In France, customs officials called the fraud case ‘unprecedented,’ adding that the successful seizure “illustrates the mobilisation of French and European customs services in the fight against organised criminal groups, whose activities harm the financial interests of national and European budgets.”

READING TIP!
UK body backs extending anti-dumping duties on Chinese bicycles until 2029
French customs authorities linked the increase in fraudulent e-bike imports to the rise in demand for bicycles in Europe. “They operated in France and were likely to exploit the increased demand for bicycles, at a time when public policies are promoting alternative modes of transport,” the customs authorities said. The EU voted earlier this year to continue anti-dumping duties for another five years, with the United Kingdom’s trade authorities recommending the UK follow suit.

 

[saneagle]

MONTREUIL, France - French authorities have uncovered a vast financial fraud network in a large-scale investigation that involved over 70,000 Chinese-made e-bikes across six storage sites in the country. The losses amount to €6 million.
Starting in Autumn 2024, investigators for the National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations (DNRED) conducted several sting operations to crack down on networks smuggling Chinese-branded e-bikes into the country. The criminal networks had one main mission in mind: to avoid the anti-dumping duties applied to e-bikes to create a fair European trade market, as well as taxes.
‘Modus operandi’
The DNRED officers identified the supply chain for these fraudulent bikes, which started with the illegal import of the goods through “different European ports” via front companies and false documentation. Just over 70,000 e-bikes were stored across six different French warehouses, regularly shifting from address to address and carrying no information about their origin or ownership.

READING TIP!
Europe-wide fraud investigation involves e-bikes from China
In March 2025, the DNRED raided these warehouses and seized the e-bikes, calculating a loss of nearly €6 million in fraudulent duties and taxes. The investigation identified several fraudulent import networks for Chinese e-bikes operating in the country, and officials concluded that the e-bikes were intended for sale on major online trading platforms.
Wider Europe implicated
In conjunction with the French Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), French customs has informed its European partners of several suspicious storage sites across Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. This year alone, there have been several raids conducted around Europe to expose these complex networks, including Project Calypso, a data-based, comprehensive analysis of EU trade flows aimed at illegal e-bike imports. The total damages of Project Calypso so far are estimated to be approximately €700 million.
Unprecedented case
In France, customs officials called the fraud case ‘unprecedented,’ adding that the successful seizure “illustrates the mobilisation of French and European customs services in the fight against organised criminal groups, whose activities harm the financial interests of national and European budgets.”

READING TIP!
UK body backs extending anti-dumping duties on Chinese bicycles until 2029
French customs authorities linked the increase in fraudulent e-bike imports to the rise in demand for bicycles in Europe. “They operated in France and were likely to exploit the increased demand for bicycles, at a time when public policies are promoting alternative modes of transport,” the customs authorities said. The EU voted earlier this year to continue anti-dumping duties for another five years, with the United Kingdom’s trade authorities recommending the UK follow suit.

What's going to happen to those bikes? They could be crushed to create an environmental catastrophe; auctioned off, which sort of undermines the whole purpose of seizing them; donated to people in need, which will weaken the ebike market; or sent back to China.Any other ideas?

 

[Woosh]

They will go to auctions later when the court case is over.

 

[saneagle]

They will go to auctions later when the court case is over.

That seems to defeat the object, though. The government will get their money, but a whole load of reputable traders could be put out of business. All the cowboys can buy those bikes and sell them on Ebay.

 

[Woosh]

That seems to defeat the object, though. The government will get their money, but a whole load of reputable traders could be put out of business. All the cowboys can buy those bikes and sell them on Ebay.

Reputable traders have been hurt, the police have now put a stop to that gang. The only thing wrong is they could have done their job sooner. We can never completely stamp out this kind of cheating though. That's why I think anti dumping does not serve the people. Governments should have provided local producers with subsidies to level the playing field. Anti dumping is like Trump's tariffs. The Chinese factories didn’t pay the anti dumping tariffs, we did.

 

[Tony1951]

The EU is all about protectionism and squashing competitive alternatives. Take the ridiculous prices of the Italian shoe business as an example.

People on here who criticise Trump's tariffs, should take a look at the EU ones, and the utterly ridiculous and pure spite barriers they impose on UK products after BREXIT. Considering that we retain at least as high food standards and better animal welfare than they do, there is no rational reason to make a fuss about sausages travelling to Ulster. Bastards!

I would tell them we will suspend Article 5 in the NATO agreement unless they cut that out.

 

[Woosh]

People on here who criticise Trump's tariffs, should take a look at the EU ones, and the utterly ridiculous and pure spite barriers they impose on UK products after BREXIT.

Like what spite barriers? Come on!
I drive my car through French ports. French customs check my car but never give me any grief.

 

[Tony1951]

Listen to the farming program on Radio 4 in the morning and what happens to small food exporters.

 

[Woosh]

Listen to the farming program on Radio 4 in the morning and what happens to small food exporters.

We left the CAP remember? The goal of the CAP is to reduce the cost of food for all EU citizens with central funding and keep the standards highest in the world. Similarly, the single market enjoys a lot of other centrally funded subsidies.
Why should british producers be given easy access to the single market without British funding for the single market?

ChatGPT:

New Trade Deal Could Boost UK Exports

A proposed UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement is projected to increase UK agricultural exports to the EU by up to 16%, while boosting EU imports to the UK by about 8%.


The agreement includes aligning food and animal welfare standards, aiming to cut red tape like export health certificates and veterinary checks.


Recent £65 million was spent by UK firms on required export licences in 2024 alone; the government plans to phase these out by 2027 under the new deal.




---

Summary Table

Metric Insight

Export volume change since Brexit Food & drink exports to EU down 34.6%; agri-food exports rebounded to ~£15.8B by 2023
Dairy exports (Q2 2025) Volume +9.8%, value +20.5%; cheese exports up ~5.4% in volume (+12.2% value)
EU exports to UK UK largest market with growing agri-food exports (~€54B in 2024)
Future outlook SPS deal could raise UK agri-exports by ~16%; export licence costs to be removed by 2027



---

Bottom Line

Volumes of exports, particularly in food and drink, fell sharply after Brexit—down ~35%, hitting SMEs hardest.

But value gains (supported by inflation) and commodity-specific rebounds (like in dairy) show signs of resilience.

The upcoming SPS deal and elimination of export licences by 2027 offer genuine hope of recovering lost ground—and potentially growing exports.

 

[Peter.Bridge]

Listen to the farming program on Radio 4 in the morning and what happens to small food exporters.

We left the Single Market. That very few of our politicians understood what it was that we left isn't the EUs fault.

The Single Market relies on border controls to third countries because they don't have the power to impose, monitor and enforce the single market rules within third countries so the only point they can do this is at the Single Market border.

EU Referendum

eureferendum.com

 

[guerney]

I assumed ebike kits were smuggled in fatsuits on flights. Well, I for one am glad clever Chinese dudes found ingenious ways to enable our purchases of cheap bikes and conversion kits. Their dastardly deeds have been thwarted in this instance, but I look forward to the next round of illegal ebike import whackamole.

Taxation is gov coercing us in order to take their money they printed back, so we can't save it, which increases the national debt. They should simply print more instead. I'm counting on your vote next election. Vote zero-tax Guerney. If you're poorer after 5 years of me as benevolent and most excellent dictator, I'll print you a refund.

 

[Baz the balloon man]

That seems to defeat the object, though. The government will get their money, but a whole load of reputable traders could be put out of business. All the cowboys can buy those bikes and sell them on Ebay.

After the big parade in China it’s becoming very apparent that the rush by all the big companies in the west to take advantage of cheap labour in Asia could spell there own and our doom in the very near future.

Sadly the winds of war are blowing again and the chips are all lining up like dominoes ready to fall .

History repeating itself self once again.

 

[Tony1951]

After the big parade in China it’s becoming very apparent that the rush by all the big companies in the west to take advantage of cheap labour in Asia could spell there own and our doom in the very near future.

Sadly the winds of war are blowing again and the chips are all lining up like dominoes ready to fall .

History repeating itself self once again.

China seems a rather patient great power to my mind, but they are not going to let themselves be preached at and pushed around by lesser powers or the United States.

How they run their own society is their business - not ours, yet we often see the rather pathetic scene of paltry, unimportant UK politicians going there and wagging the finger at them about internal matters. They will assert some influence on their immediate surroundings. It is none of our business.

I feel pretty sure that they will not be coming here to interfere with our business any time soon.

Yes - we do make them richer and more powerful by buying most of our manufactured goods from them. It will be interesting to see how many of us stop buying their goods and are prepared to pay about twice the price for home produced stuff.

 

[Woosh]

The most we can do in the near future is assemble from imported parts. That's how most of the world works anyway. It's rare that any country would grow an entire supply chain unless it's either agricultural or construction or extremely simple.

 

[Baz the balloon man]

China seems a rather patient great power to my mind, but they are not going to let themselves be preached at and pushed around by lesser powers or the United States.

How they run their own society is their business - not ours, yet we often see the rather pathetic scene of paltry, unimportant UK politicians going there and wagging the finger at them about internal matters. They will assert some influence on their immediate surroundings. It is none of our business.

I feel pretty sure that they will not be coming here to interfere with our business any time soon.

Yes - we do make them richer and more powerful by buying most of our manufactured goods from them. It will be interesting to see how many of us stop buying their goods and are prepared to pay about twice the price for home produced stuff.

I agree it’s too late to put the genie back in this particular bottle and the world would go into a recession a bad one without Asia , I just find it’s sad that we have let all our engineering and technology go to the east .

One of the biggest problems the world faces right now is Trump the marmite President who’s feelings are hurt poor little rich kid not used to be not invited to the party !!

The USA won the last war because after the British Empire was bled dry the USA was able to turn their massive industrial peacetime economy onto a war footing and re tool and mass produce arms.

China is doing both Arms and goods , none of us can predict what an Authoritarian regime will do but as said history repeats .

Trump is trying to leave Ukraine alone and appease Russia .
China and North Korea are helping Russia , Trump has pushed India into this coalition.

Europe is weak divided and unprepared for the coming storm .

If this coalition find away to render the Nukes obsolete or gamble that they will not be used the chips will fall .

I hope I am wrong.

Trump = Donald Duck, Putin = Dick Darstadly KIM = Muttly GGPing = Emperor Ming , Sir Keir could not Smash his way out of a paper bag , let alone smash a gang Oh they got a guy who sells rubber boats !!!

The Tories need to “ Bring Back Boris “

And we need to join with the Germans and chant “Send Them Home “ and send the the woke traitor’s with them .

Changing the subject

I think it would make this site a little more interesting if we had a current affairs discussion’s on current topics.
With Some basic rules the usual ie no racism or misogyny, extremism, stick to the basic principles of the site .

I enjoy the e bike discussion’s advise and general subject but feel as we all come from a multitude of backgrounds it would be good debate and make this site a little more interesting.

 

[Baz the balloon man]

The most we can do in the near future is assemble from imported parts. That's how most of the world works anyway. It's rare that any country would grow an entire supply chain unless it's either agricultural or construction or extremely simple.

Agree but I think the Uk has been left sadly behind our manufacturing base is in bits and we are relying on shares in countries we have no control over or influence we are a land of consumers.

Even the pants in M&S are cheap and do not last any more let alone the knickers!!

 

[Woosh]

Small manufacturing businesses get hammered by high rents and rates, insurance, maintenance, wages, and small volumes. I pay for example 8 dollars to get my bike cartons made in China. The same carton made locally costs £25 ex VAT. Go figure what I have to do.

 

[Woosh]

Another thing that hits small producers in the UK: the exorbitant postage cost compared to China. It's cheaper to send an LCD by post from China to UK than first class post in UK. I pay £5.15 for uk postal service. Evri is cheaper but not good.

 

[Baz the balloon man]

I made quite a lot of money around 10 years ago when I went to China and had non licensed character balloons made ie Dolphins , Dogs and look alike balloons .

One or Two companies dominated this industry for 30 odd years just Two factories then in came China at least 5 factories in a short space of time now one of the bigger companies Qualitex has gone bust and I would think only Disney is keeping Anagram a float (excuse the pun )

Now we can only get very poor quality say ribbon from China and the good quality ribbon made in Ireland is no more .

My wife’s good friend in Saigon used to be the biggest tyre wholesaler in that area , I have suggested we could ask him to try open some doors for us to import bike tyres as a lot are now made there not sure if we can get a more specific business going now the balloons are effectively over .

 

[Baz the balloon man]

Another thing that hits small producers in the UK: the exorbitant postage cost compared to China. It's cheaper to send an LCD by post from China to UK than first class post in UK. I pay £5.15 for uk postal service. Evri is cheaper but not good.

I have found Evri to be ok on e bay these days and when they have lost an item I got fully compensated.

Royal Mail tracked 48 recently lost a Vulcan wheel and empty hub with a tyre , 6 weeks on from making a claim which is a mare and time consuming with not even any contact from them .

I am now having to involve e bay to try and get my 40 quid back if I added my time I am already losing money even if I get compensation for the loss.

In China and South Asia the average wage for an unskilled worker is around $100.00 USD per month so should we move all our industries and jobs over there so we can put all our own people out of work and all enjoy buying cheap crap with little regulation.

Or should we support a country that is responsible for exporting all the latest Chemical drugs ie like Spice synthetic Cannabis delivered in bubble gum flavoured vapes 4 X stronger THC than genetically engineered Skunk Weed aimed at children .

The supply on production of synthetic Heroin again killing people in. Abada and the USA now being seen in the Uk .

Funny thing Walt Disney Company went into all the Balloon factories in China and not only put a stop and a really effective stop on them manufacturing snide Disney balloons but they where then a bit scared to even make unlicensed character balloons .

But in a country that has the Death sentence for drug dealing all this death coming in the form of Chemicals is still coming west .

I predict that very soon China will attack Taiwan I hope the Taiwan people just surrender and save there lives because the USA and NATO will do nothing or it will start the Third war and Putin will be there as a token of support and them Kim will go at the ripe and ready South Korea .