| Recording concern over allegations of a Berbice man that was duped by an off-duty Customs Officer andGRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaurclaims that persons are engaging in various nefarious activities whilst impersonating officers of the agency, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is calling on the public to report any person or staff who might be engaging in illegal activities.The tax agency stated that it is concerned about a report which appeared in the newspaper headlined “Others claim to be duped by phone fraudsters”, and reported claims by one of the victims that he was duped by an off duty Customs Officer.The body, by way of public missive, said it is equally concerned about allegations being made that persons are engaging in various nefarious activities,Cheap Jerseys Store, whilst impersonating officers of the agency, since this practice tarnishes the image of the agency and its officers.“While it is unfortunate that honest hardworking individuals have fallen prey to this scam,Cheap Jerseys From China, the GRA condemns in the strongest possible terms,China Jerseys, such criminal activities by elements in our society whose aim is to defraud unsuspecting individuals of their hard earned money,” the agency noted.A resident from #2 Village, East Canje Berbice had told this newspaper that he was tricked out of $205,Cheap Jerseys For Sale,000 from an off duty Customs officer.He said he was lured through a telephone call by an overseas-based “cousin” who had requested that money be taken to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to clear and uplift some items from an air freight organization.On his way,Wholesale Jerseys, he was stopped by a purported customs officer, who was dressed casually, on the Public Road at Herstelling. The “agent” collected the money before urging the man to continue on his way to the CJIA.The tax body has highlighted the procedures in place for the payment of duties and taxes to the agency.It said “Monetary transactions are not conducted outside the official premises of the GRA or during unofficial working hours. All monies must be paid to the cashier of the GRA, where an official receipt will be issued to the taxpayer.”The body explained that with regard to the clearing of personal effects, it has implemented a system which is free of human intervention.“As such, examinations of personal effects are based on risk profiling and intelligence gathering in the presence of the consignee. Further, only the consignees are authorized to uplift their personal effects from the shipping agents upon presentation of valid forms of identification, and payment of relevant duties, taxes and fees,” GRA clarified.The tax agency went on to say that all its staffers are required to wear their badges of identification when performing official duties on behalf of the agency, and must identify themselves to taxpayers.The general public was advised not to make any payment to persons claiming to be a part of the agency, or to conduct any monetary transaction with GRA staff,NFL Jerseys Supply, unless such payments are being made to GRA’s cashiers at the official business office of the agency.“The general public is also encouraged to report any person or staff who might be engaging in illegal activities which can compromise the integrity of the agency and its officers, by calling the agency’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division on 227 6060 extensions 3201-3208,” the statement ended. |
