Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, has directed the referral of 15 individuals of various Arab nationalities and 12 companies to the criminal court over charges of forgery, money laundering, and tax evasion.
The Federal Prosecution for Tax Evasion Crimes uncovered that the defendants formed a gang to falsify official documents attributed to government entities, including the Ministry of Economy, chambers of commerce, and customs authorities. These forgeries allowed them to fraudulently claim VAT refunds on fictitious goods they falsely declared as purchased, taxed, and exported using shell companies.
The investigation revealed that the group also misappropriated VAT payments on imports meant for the Federal Tax Authority. The illicit activities resulted in financial damages exceeding Dh107 million, with the defendants further engaging in money laundering to hide the origin of the stolen funds.
The case includes suspects in custody and fugitives with warrants issued for their arrest. The Attorney-General emphasized the UAE’s firm stance against financial crimes and its commitment to upholding the integrity of the tax system.
