Patrick Blaise Extradited from Israel to France for Major VAT Fraud Case

Patrick Blaise was extradited from Israel to France on June 29, 2026, after being convicted of fraud and money laundering in a large-scale VAT fraud case known as the "Century Scam." The extradition followed a request from the French government and was authorized by the Israeli Minister of Justice. Blaise received a four-year prison sentence, with credit for time served in France during his trial.

The fraud involved a criminal group that illegally obtained 283.8 million euros from French authorities between 2008 and 2012 through carbon emission quota transactions. Blaise was directly involved in defrauding 52.4 million euros and personally received 530,000 euros. The scheme exploited VAT exemptions on carbon quota purchases and involved selling them with VAT charges without remitting the full amount to the tax authorities. Funds were transferred to shell companies and foreign bank accounts in Hong Kong and Cyprus to conceal and launder the proceeds.

Blaise controlled two companies used by the group, which he modified in December 2008 to include carbon quota trading. He managed their operations and appointed two nieces as nominal managers. Blaise attended his initial trial in France but was in Israel when the verdict was delivered in 2016. His appeal was rejected in 2017, making the conviction and sentence final.

Israel received the extradition request on February 29, 2024, and the international department of the Israeli prosecution filed a petition for extradition in November 2025. The Jerusalem District Court approved it in January 2026, and the Supreme Court rejected Blaise's appeal in June 2026. The extradition process involved cooperation between the Israeli prosecution, police, and Interpol's special operations unit.