Johannesburg - Durban police on Friday warned about the sharp increase of fraud cases involving South African Revenue Services (SARS) tax returns which had been opened at Point Road station in the city centre since the beginning of this month.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said it was alleged that victims were receiving their RIP5s and then went to SARS offices to submit their returns.
But on their arrival at SARS, Zwane said, the victims were told that their tax returns had already been submitted through e-filling and that they could submit again.
“The victims were shocked and not aware that their tax returns were submitted through e-filling,” Zwane said. “We are yet to establish how this syndicate operates and how they are scamming people using their tax returns.”
Zwane said a number of cases had been opened at Point police station regarding this scam.
“We appeal to the community to make sure that their documents are always safe and not give to any strangers as they might use that information to defraud SARS.”
Zwane said police were investigating fraud cases but that no arrests had been made so far.
The tax season opened on the July 1 and would run until the end of November.
It will, however, run until January 2017 for tax payers who submit through e-filling.
African News Agency