By Rex Mphisa
THE Customs and Excise Department of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has been defrauded of millions of dollars in a sophisticated hacking scam where accounts of close to 100 shipping companies were credited with duty funds.
Hackers believed to be foreigners based outside Zimbabwe working with locals are said to have cracked into the ZIMRA servers and took control of the country’s revenue collector responsible for collecting taxes and other revenue streams for the government in Zimbabwe.
It is understood the hackers took control of the local currency account and began crediting different shipping houses accounts used for paying duties and other forms taxes.
Hundreds of vehicles and millions of dollars worth of goods are believed to have been cleared into the country with duties paid with the fraudulent funds.
In turn the shipping agents would collect the cash due to ZIMRA, retained a percentage and the remainder, a large chunk would be collected by the hacker through their agent.
ZIMRA press executive Francis Chimanda was not immediately available for comment.
But communication from the department seen by this publication pointed towards an anomaly within the system.
Recently ZIMRA sent a message to clearing agents demanding proof of payment of funds into the tax collector’s account.
“Please be advised that with immediate effect its now a requirement for you to attach Proof of Payment (PoP) to the Consumption Bills of Entry as evidence that the funds in your respective Prepayment Accounts have been deposited through the banking system,” read the statement.
“If it’s a bulk payment, attach the draw down schedule, which at any given time must be covering the amounts on the bill of entry registered and to be assessed.”
The notice was circulated in shipping agents social media groups.
Soon after that notice, ZIMRA issued another warning it was closing accounts that may have benefitted from the scam.
“Good day and I hope we are all well. Note that the Commissioner Customs has began to close Agency Accounts with issues. For assistance, kindly send an email to bchadzingwa@zimra.co.zw and commissionercustomsandexcise@zimra.co.zw,” said the notice.
Close to 100 shipping companies have had their bonds closed while on the other hand ZIMRA has launched a clampdown on vehicles that may have been cleared and had import duties paid from the fraudulent scam.
It is understood millions of dollars worth of other goods were cleared in the same pattern which denied the fiscus millions. Some of the clearing companies are known to have been credited with amounts like ZIG 13 million.
“Some big companies have had their bonds shut and are unable to do any transactions, ” a clearing clerk at Beitbridge said.
“We are likely to see more clampdowns because the fraud was huge and may have involved many people. Arrests are possible,” said the agent.