By DELPHINE ZULU –
THE Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has referred 265 cases of suspected tax evasion and non-compliant registration to investigators for possible prosecution.
Forty-eight other cases of suspected theft, fraud and money laundering have also been referred to law enforcement agencies.
Seventeen cases are for suspected illegal immigrants, five for bribery and corruption, four for suspected theft, and one for breach of foreign exchange and regulations.
The centre has further disseminated 340 intelligence reports to various law enforcement agencies in 2015, with tax evasion topping the list at 34 per cent, unused deposits at 28 per cent, unused inward remittance at eight, activity inconsistency with customer profile at two, and others at 27 per cent.
Acting director Clement Kapalu said in response to a Press query that the centre had identified 11 individuals involved in illicit activities, but refused to release more information for fear of jeopardising investigations.
Mr Kapalu said the centre’s mandate of helping Government mitigate revenue losses due to tax evasion had progressed well because of a number of public awareness programmes conducted with various interest groups.
He said the centre’s strategy to curb money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crimes are threefold, adding that it had already established privileged relationships with both local and foreign competent authorities for the exchange of intelligence.
Mr Kapalu said the centre had a programme of public education through various media, conferences, and meetings with various stakeholders in the country.