September 2, 2011

Drug Dealers Get Into More Lucrative Tax Fraud

[From article]
"Investigators believe Tampa is at the tip of a national trend that has created a hemorrhage of federal tax dollars. In a six-month period, Postal Inspector Doug Smith said his agents seized an estimated $100 million in fraudulent tax refunds destined for local mailboxes. And Police Chief Jane Castor said she thinks that number represents less than 10 percent of the total fraud.
If Castor's estimate is close, the total fraud in the Tampa area alone could approach $1 billion.
Suddenly, the quick money to be earned selling drugs on street corners didn't have the same allure. It was easier, safer and more private to steal other people's identities and then use the Internet to con the Internal Revenue Service to deliver riches right to their mailboxes."

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/01/10/police-tampa-street-criminals-steal-millions-filin-ar-254724/

Police: Tampa street criminals steal millions filing fraudulent tax returns
By ELAINE SILVESTRINI, LAUREN MAYK |
Tampa Bay Online
The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 01, 2011
Updated: September 01, 2011 - 11:00 PM

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