Kaduna State Government has raised alarm over the activities of criminal elements and fraudsters issuing fake Government tax certificates, receipts and licences to defraud the citizens.
It therefore urged the public to report those engaged in such illegal activities to security operatives for immediate apprehension and prosecution of the criminals.
In a statement by the Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams on Friday, “the attention of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous individuals and groups operating in various strategic locations across the state, falsely claiming to be empowered by the Service to collect levies.”
He said that “these individuals, who can best be described as criminals, have formed a coordinated cartel, deceiving unsuspecting members of the public and engaging in criminal activities that undermine the integrity of the state’s revenue collection process”, adding, “we wish to categorically state that these individuals are not affiliated with KADIRS, and we have not authorized any person or group outside of our official channels to collect any form of levies or taxes on behalf of the Service.”
Adams said: ” We strongly advise all residents to be vigilant and refrain from engaging with these impostors. KADIRS is fully committed to ending this menace and has already begun
apprehending some of those involved and we are committed to fish out the rest and their sponsors.”
” We urge the public to report any suspicious activities or persons claiming to represent KADIRS without proper identification and authorization. It is crucial to note that all payments are made through the official KADIRS channels to avoid falling victim to these fraudsters.”
Besides, Adams remarked, “furthermore, it has come to our notice that fake Tax Clearance Certificates, vehicle licenses and number plates are being floated across the State. This criminal activity not only defrauds the state but also undermines the trust placed in our institution by the good people of Kaduna State. We are taking stringent measures to identify and deal with anyone involved in these illegal activities and
their cohorts.”
“We assure the public that any staff or any other persons for that matter, who are found aiding these criminals or participating in fraudulent practices will face the full weight of the law.
To our esteemed taxpayers, we urge you to ensure that all tax clearance applications and payments are done through proper channels. Under no circumstances should payments be made to any private accounts or individuals.”
All official payments are to be made only through approved KADIRS channels, such as designated banks or our official digital platforms.”
We want to reassure all residents that KADIRS is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and accountability in all our operations. Together, we can end this criminality and ensure that the revenue collection process in Kaduna State remains fair, transparent, and effective”.
Source: The guardian