French and Dutch investigators have conducted searches in the offices of US streaming giant Netflix in Paris and Amsterdam on Tuesday. The actions are related to a preliminary investigation into tax fraud and money laundering.
French newspaper Marianne, the first to report the searches, noted that an investigation team specialising in financial crime and corruption broke into the company’s offices in central Paris on Tuesday morning.
The French investigation is being led by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), known for its ongoing investigations into large multinational companies. In parallel, Dutch authorities were searching Netflix’s Amsterdam headquarters.
Netflix representatives in France and the Netherlands have not yet commented. The office of the Dutch financial crime prosecutor declined to comment and referred questions to PNF. French media reported:
“Co-operation between the French and Dutch authorities has been ongoing in this case for several months.”
The investigation is at a preliminary stage, which does not mean that criminal proceedings have been initiated or that a trial has necessarily begun. Exactly what facts triggered the investigation is not yet clear.
Large technology companies that provide online services internationally often run into trouble with European tax authorities. In 2022, Netflix agreed to settle a tax dispute with Italy by paying 55.8 million euros. Netflix opened its Paris office in 2020, when it had about 40 employees.
