MADRID, July 15, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish police have carried out nationwide raids as part of an investigation into a tax evasion scandal in Liechtenstein, the interior ministry said Tuesday.

Police staged 19 raids on the premises of tax consultancies, investment companies and a private bank, located in the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Zaragoza.

The operation was the result of a complaint by Spanish tax authorities over funds allegedly concealed in Liechtenstein banks, the ministry said in a statement.

'The total amount of capital concealed could exceed 200 million euros (320 million dollars),' the statement said.

It said the operation was ongoing, but made no mention of any arrests.

The Liechtenstein tax scandal first erupted in February when Germany launched a massive probe using documents allegedly stolen from the principality's LGT bank by a former employee.

Germany then shared the information with other countries, which began investigating their own citizens.

Spanish tax authorities said in April they have given prosecutors the names of 198 people suspected of involvement.