French investigators raid Google's Paris HQ over tax case: source

[PARIS] French investigators are raiding Google's Paris headquarters as part of a probe over tax payments, a source close to the finance ministry told Reuters on Tuesday.

Investigators have been probing Google's offices in central Paris since 0500 am (0300 GMT), said the source, who declined to be named.

A spokesman for Google was not immediately available for comment.

France is seeking 1.6 billion euros (S$2.49 billion) in back taxes from the US Internet giant Google, criticised for its use of aggressive tax optimisation techniques, another source at the finance ministry had said in February.

REUTERS