Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 02-02-2018
Eight men and one woman arrested for allegedly operating a large-scale value added tax fraud scam “with a potential loss to the fiscus of more than R90m have been released on bail.
The nine suspects – aged between 35 and 70 appeared in the Commercial Crime Court in Durban and Pretoria on Thursday.
They were arrested at their homes in upmarket residential areas in Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal during a search and seizure operation conducted simultaneously at 12 premises at dawn on Wednesday.
The Hawks say a number of business premises were also searched during the operation.
Spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi says the suspects allegedly claimed the money through fraudulent VAT vendors.
“The SARS investigation has revealed that the syndicate allegedly claimed R99million fraudulent refunds through 15 registered by fictitious VAT vendors. False VAT vendor details with fraudulent supporting documents were used to register the vendors.”
He says SARS paid out approximately R30,6 million before the scam was uncovered.
“The proceeds of the scam were deposited in bank accounts from where the money was allegedly laundered through at least 35 so-called suppliers.”
The Hawks also seized an AK47 and a pistol, R250 0000 in cash, several gold bars and millions in Kruger Rands.
The suspects are expected back in court on February 15.
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