When Crime Doesn’t Pay: VAT Fraudsters Behind Bars for 25 Years
Their crimes included fraud, forgery, uttering, and money laundering related to 198 fraudulent VAT returns over three years. This severe punishment serves as a deterrent, reminding taxpayers of the serious consequences of tax evasion, especially compared to the often-debated ethics of tax avoidance. Legitimate taxpayers, often facing delays in genuine SARS refunds, may find some solace in seeing such fraudsters brought to justice.