R5k bail for R12m tax fraud accused

A MAN believed to be part of an international fraud syndicate appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court charged with duping the taxman out of R12-million.

Arshad Mohammed, 39, is accused of submitting falsified tax returns to the South African Revenue Services (SARS) eight years ago resulting in a R12million payment in 2009 to him and other members of the fraud ring by SARS.

He was granted R5 000 bail by the court.

Eastern Cape provincial Hawks spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni said Mohammed was scheduled to reappear in the same court on November 9.

Mohammed’s appearance follows his dramatic arrest by the Hawks in front of shocked passengers at OR Tambo International Airport on September 7.

He had been on the run for eight years.

His two alleged accomplices Enver Mohammed, 52, and Ali Soomer, 54, were found guilty in 2010 for the same offence.

Feni said more suspects involved in the fraud were expected to be arrested soon.

Explaining how Mohammed was arrested, Feni said the Hawks had circulated Mohammed’s identity as a wanted suspect.

“As soon as he entered the country, airport officials notified the Hawks who then arrested him.”

Feni said Enver Mohammed and Soomer were both found guilty of fraud in May 2016 by the East London Regional Court.

Enver Mohammed was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment and Soomer was sentenced to a fine of R1-million.

According to Feni, Enver Mohammed and Soomer colluded with a number of foreign nationals with South African citizenship to establish companies and business accounts in 2007.

“These companies and bank accounts were registered under the names of those who were recruited by Mohammed and Soomer.

“It is alleged Arshad Mohammed was one of those recruited.”

Feni said the companies traded with each other for a long period without any paper trail of money.

“The money paid to the companies’ bank accounts would then be transferred into Enver Mohammed’s bank account who would then transfer it into various accounts including Soomer’s bank account.”

● In a separate incident a former manager at a hardware store, Pennypinchers, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for stealing R1-million from the company’s Port Alfred franchise.

Raymond Laredo, 48, was arrested in September 2008 following a nine-month investigation. —