French police searched the Paris offices of U.S. internet giant Google today as part of a tax fraud investigation, it has been reported.
French authorities believe Google owes 1.6 billion euros (£1.2billion) in back taxes, a source close to the matter said in February.
Google is one of several multi-national corporations that have come under fire in Europe for paying extremely low taxes by shifting revenue across borders in a complex web of financial arrangements.
A source close to the finance ministry said investigators have been at the company offices since 5am today.
About 100 officers are involved in the investigation, Le Parisien reported.
Google France received a 'notification' of the investigation back in March 2014, which did not give any precise figures.
It has been raided by French authorities before, in June 2011, during an investigation into transfers to its Irish headquarters.
Google had in January agreed to pay £130million in back taxes to Britain, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners.
A police source says French cops today searched Google's Paris offices.
They believe the company owes 1.6billion euros in back taxes, it is claimed.
Google is one of several companies that pays low taxes by shifting revenue.