NamRA uncovers N$666 000 tax refund fraud scheme

The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has detected an internal fraudulent tax refund scheme that resulted in the illegal payout of over N$666 000 to 47 individuals between January and April this year.

The scheme exploited NamRA’s ongoing mass tax refund initiative, targeting mainly unemployed individuals with no tax liabilities. Fraudulent tax refunds were processed for periods dating back as far as 2011, NamRA's chief of strategic communications and support engagements, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, said.

In many cases, the affected individuals were unaware their identity documents and banking details had been used to register them as taxpayers.

According to Ndorokaze, one staff member has been suspended and the secondment of an official from the finance ministry has been reversed.

Three additional suspects have already appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

The illicitly obtained refunds were allegedly distributed among the perpetrators via mobile and e-wallet banking platforms.

NamRA has urged the public to be vigilant and to avoid sharing personal information or banking details with unauthorised individuals or entities.

The agency stressed that tax refunds should only be processed through its official offices and authorised channels.