Penza, 11 December 2012. PenzaNews. Four members of an organized criminal group were detained in the Penza region during the investigation of a criminal case concerning illegal VAT refund, in the result of which the state suffered damage amounting to over 67 million rubles.

“According to the investigation, an organized criminal group consisting of five residents of the region, including the head of the tax inspection of Leninsky district of Penza, in the period from 2010 to 2012, engaged in illegal refunding of value added tax (VAT) from the Russian budget by committing fraud on a large scale on behalf of a number of legal entities,” commented the Senior Assistant of the Head of Investigative Department of Investigative Committee in Penza, Media relations division, Lyudmila Fomina.

She specified that the members of the criminal group, creating the appearance of business activity, for a long time misled the tax authorities regarding the right for VAT refund from the federal budget from the purchase of two aircrafts Yak-42 in the absence of actual bargains and the costs incurred.

“It was found that in 2010 the federal budget lost over 17 million rubles, and in 2012 — over 27 million rubles. The circumstances of other crimes connected with illegal VAT refund on a large scale — not less than 23 million rubles — are actively investigated,” the agency interlocutor added.

According to her, four members of the criminal group were detained and charged with a crime under Art. 159 of the Criminal Code “Fraud.”

“The investigation is regarding the possibility of taking the detainees in custody. The fifth member of the group is hiding, he may join the federal wanted list,” Lyudmila Fomina pointed out.