Woman arrested for R5 million VAT fraud
A woman was arrested in Centurion on Friday for VAT fraud of R5 million.
A woman was arrested at her workplace in Centurion on Friday for alleged VAT fraud of more than R5 million, SA Revenue Service (SARS) said.
The woman, a chartered accountant and former SARS employee, allegedly committed the fraud over a nine-year period.
As director of a closed corporation who provided consultancy and bookkeeping services, the woman allegedly submitted false VAT invoices and bank statements to SARS between 2007 and 2015 for VAT refund claims valued at R5.1 million.
“The investigation commenced after Sars risk engines identified the taxpayer for an audit due to the unusual refund trend that emerged over the years. Upon requesting supporting documentation, Sars investigators established through third party verification that fictional invoices had been submitted to SARS.”
SARS also found that submitted bank statements to substantiate refund claims were not authentic.
“The case was handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority and the police who issued the warrant of arrest.”
The woman had been a member of the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants and the SA Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, SARS said.
She is expected to appear in court on Monday.
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