The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a stern warning to taxpayers across Bangladesh, cautioning them against a group of fraudsters impersonating tax officials. These criminals are contacting taxpayers, falsely informing them that their tax files have been selected for audit and demanding money to avoid legal complications.
Modus Operandi of Fraudsters
According to the NBR's press release, fraudsters are reaching out to taxpayers from various mobile phone numbers. They claim that the taxpayers' files have been chosen for audit and threaten legal action if payments are not made. The NBR has clarified that no official or employee communicates with taxpayers about audits via personal mobile numbers or unauthorized channels.
Official Communication Channels
The revenue authority emphasized that if a taxpayer's file is selected for audit, the information is conveyed through an official written notice, in accordance with the law. Taxpayers are reminded that any outstanding tax liabilities or fees must be paid to the state treasury using official government treasury challans. No tax official is authorized to receive payments personally or through mobile financial services like bKash, Rocket, Nagad, or personal bank accounts.
What Taxpayers Should Do
Taxpayers are advised not to panic if they receive suspicious calls, SMS messages, or emails regarding tax audits. Instead, they should contact the office of the Deputy Tax Commissioner in their respective tax zone to verify the authenticity of such communications. The NBR has also requested taxpayers to inform the nearest law enforcement agency if anyone posing as an NBR official demands money. Preserving the fraudster's phone number can assist authorities in taking legal action.
NBR's Commitment to Transparency
Reaffirming its commitment to transparent, efficient, and harassment-free taxpayer services, the NBR urged all taxpayers not to engage in any financial transactions with fraudsters. This warning highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for taxpayers to verify any communication purportedly from tax authorities.
