The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service has raised the alarm over the activities of illegal tax collecting agents defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.
The agency also informed the general public of fake tax clearance certificates, fake licenses and number plates being floated in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the executive chairman of the agency, Comrade Jerry Adams, noted that some of the fake agents have been arrested and will be prosecuted soon.
He said, “The attention of KADIRS has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous individuals and groups operating in various strategic locations across the state, falsely claiming to be empowered by the service to collect taxes, levies and fines.
“These individuals, who can best be described as criminals, have formed a coordinated cartel, deceiving unsuspecting members of the public and engaging in criminal activities that undermine the integrity of the state’s revenue collection process.
“We wish to categorically state that these individuals are not affiliated with KADIRS, and we have not authorised any person or group outside of our official channels to collect any form of levies or taxes on behalf of the service.”
While advising residents to be vigilant and refrain from engaging with the impostors, he assured that KADIRS is fully committed to ending the menace and has already begun apprehending some of those involved.
“We are committed to fishing out the rest and their sponsors. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities or persons claiming to represent KADIRS without proper identification and authorization.
“It is crucial to note that all payments are made through the official KADIRS channels to avoid falling victim to these fraudsters,” he said.
