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Angola still arresting people linked to millionaire robbery

Luanda, Feb 2 (Prensa Latina) The Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) of Angola continues today with the arrests of people linked to the theft of seven billion kwanzas (more than seven million 600 thousand dollars) from the General Tax Administration (AGT).

Following January 22 and 30 arrests, SIC reported this weekend the arrest of a businessman and consultant of the Chinese company Huashi Group (H&S), for alleged crimes of illegal access to the information system and consultation through the AGT’s information system.

He is also considered as a participant in the crimes of computer forgery, criminal association and embezzlement, “supported by strong evidence of his participation in the fraudulent scheme of compensation payments, in relation to Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds.” The VAT director of the AGT was also arrested on the same charges.

The SIC indicated that the investigations on this process continue, in order to fully clarify the criminal scheme, and once all the formalities are completed, the citizens will be brought before the Public Prosecutor’s Office for legal proceedings.

On January 30, the agency arrested three AGT executives: the administrator for the VAT, Strategic Planning and Information Technology Directorate; the director of Registration and Collection; and the head of the VAT Reimbursement Department.

Previously, on January 22, an official and a database technician were brought before the authorities, who illegitimately used access privileges to the system to appropriate VAT refunds, as well as the illegal reduction of fines to taxpayers notified by the AGT.

It was found that in total they carried out more than 1,500 operations and stole around seven billion kwanzas.

Their arrests were the tip of the iceberg that led to a larger criminal chain, as ongoing investigations determined that the scheme was constructed by employees in various positions who took advantage of their privileges to carry out various fraudulent operations.

The arrests were made possible thanks to the work of the National Directorate for Combating Computer Crimes, in operational coordination with the Computer Crimes Directorate of the Attorney General’s Office, and other security bodies, including the State Intelligence and Security Service.

mh/abo/oda/kmg

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