Google Earth used for IRS Investigation

[MOxxx]

The PISA branch of the "Agenzia delle Entrate", the Italian IRS, has used Google Earth to investigate 30 Businesses operating in the Boat docking/renting/ maintenance business off the coast of Tuscany.

Some of these operations were claiming a ridiculous amount of many ( on the low side) considering the size of the Businesses.

Therefore the investigators monitored the activities of these yards using Google Earth during a period of time and they were able to verify that the volume of business was not the one that some of these businesses declared.

Out of 30 operations 6 were found guilty and one of these 6 appealed the sentence saying that the Government Agency used illegal Investigation techniques. The guy lost.

I think this is a pretty interesting fact at least for Italy , i don't know if Google was used in other parts of the world for Investigations.

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by MOxxx

The PISA branch of the "Agenzia delle Entrate", the Italian IRS, has used Google Earth to investigate 30 Businesses operating in the Boat docking/renting/ maintenance business off the coast of Tuscany.

Some of these operations were claiming a ridiculous amount of many ( on the low side) considering the size of the Businesses.

Therefore the investigators monitored the activities of these yards using Google Earth during a period of time and they were able to verify that the volume of business was not the one that some of these businesses declared.
.

I'm wondering on the "time" element there?
Google earth doesn't update that fast????

Here (USA) of course, we just fire up a keyhole.......

[Top_Of_Google_Man]

It was alleged that several councils in the UK were using it to catch people who were extending properties but not declaring their increased value for the council tax banding system.

[Rcourt64]

In Google We Trust

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by EmporerEJ

I'm wondering on the "time" element there?
Google earth doesn't update that fast????

Exactly what I was thinking. I am having trouble believing this one. No offense.

[Sexyteaser]

I dont buy it either but if our CIA FBI and IRS are finally communicating maybe they used the spy satellites the US actually do own and gave the credit to google earth...

[EmporerEJ]

Originally Posted by Top_Of_Google_Man

It was alleged that several councils in the UK were using it to catch people who were extending properties but not declaring their increased value for the council tax banding system.

I could see something like that...