Israeli Court Sentences Man to 40 Months in Prison for Massive Fuel Tax Fraud
An Israeli court sentenced Raed Shaar to 40 months in prison and a one-million-shekel fine for masterminding a massive fuel tax fraud. His ex-wife fled abroad, leaving their young daughter behind as authorities crack down on the 156-million-shekel scam.
An Israeli court has sentenced Raed Shaar to 40 months in prison and a one-million-shekel fine for his role in a massive fuel tax fraud operation. Shaar and his former wife, Inas Shweiki, operated a forged document network that generated fake invoices, causing a state revenue loss exceeding 156 million shekels.
The illicit enterprise, active between August 2013 and June 2018, was part of a broader tax scam known as "Rising Star." The couple supplied fabricated paperwork allowing fuel companies to falsely claim Value Added Tax deductions, collecting a commission of 0.30 shekels per liter of fuel listed.
Following a plea bargain, Magistrate's Court Judge Dorit Saban Noy in Ramla approved the prison sentence, noting that Shaar's cooperation saved a lengthy trial involving 132 witnesses. The defense argued that Shweiki was the primary mastermind and had fled abroad before sentencing, leaving behind their nine-year-old daughter.
In light of the child's situation, the court granted a delay for Shaar to surrender, setting his prison reporting date for May 1, 2027, to allow time for arranging the girl's schooling and care with his current partner.
