Two Tax Men Arrested for Alleged Rp 41b Embezzlement

Jakarta Globe, Farouk Arnaz, Dec 07, 2014

Two bureaucrats from the West Java Tax Service Office were arrested
 in relation to the issuance of a fake invoice, which police say cost the
state Rp 41 billion.(Reuters Photo/Edgar Su)

Jakarta. Two West Java tax inspectors have been arrested for allegedly embezzling Rp 41 billion ($3.3 million), police announced on Sunday.

The two bureaucrats, named as Totok Mulyanto and Andi Ismanto, from the West Java Tax Service Office were arrested in relation to the issuance of a “fake tax invoice” which cost the state Rp 41 billion, police said.

Police would not elaborate further on the circumstances of the case and told reporters to direct their questioning to the tax directorate general.

“We helped investigators from the tax directorate general,” Brig. Gen. Agus Kusnadi said on Sunday.

The pair were arrested on Wednesday after they were questioned by tax investigators, police said.

Police said they had arrested eight other suspects involved in the alleged crime, but did not elaborate on who they were or how they were connected to Totok and Andi.

Issuing a fake tax invoice can carry a sentence of up to six years imprisonment under the 2009 Law No. 16 on Taxation. Those convicted are also required to pay back twice the amount of the invoice.