SBI exposed two tax service officials of Kirovohrad region on million-dollar fraud in tax invoice registration (VIDEO)

SBI agents exposed two heads of tax service departments in Kirovohrad region for extorting bribes from entrepreneurs for not obstructing their business. The money was received for the "manual" unblocking of tax invoices.

The head of the VAT refund control department, together with the head of the risk department of the Kirovohrad Oblast Tax Service, devised a scheme to enrich themselves on entrepreneurs.

The tax officials took advantage of the negative trend of massive tax invoice blocking and classifying taxpayers as risky. They forced companies' managers to "purchase" the services of the "manual tax invoice registration". The "fee" was 1% of the total amount.

Together with the the National Police, one of the offenders was detained red-handed while receiving an agreed payment. She was served a notice of suspicion of extortion and illegal benefit by an official holding a responsible position (Part 3 of Art. 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The sanction of the article provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The issue of serving another tax officer a notice of suspicion under the same article is currently being decided.

SBI officers searched the suspects' residences and workplaces. During the investigation, millions of hryvnias in various currencies were found.

The Kirovohrad Regional Prosecutor's Office is providing procedural supervision.