Four Arrested in Northern Israel Over 200,000 Shekel Tax and Pension Scam
Four suspects were arrested in northern Israel for running a tax refund and pension scam targeting 500 victims and stealing over 200,000 shekels.
Police arrested four suspects on Sunday, including a 44-year-old mother and her 21-year-old daughter from Kafr Kanna, a 22-year-old resident of Eilabun, and a 25-year-old relative from Kafr Kanna, on suspicion of running a massive tax refund scam affecting some 500 victims and totaling at least 200,000 shekels.
According to the police investigation, the scheme began when three of the suspects worked together at a legitimate tax refund company. They contacted clients seeking tax rebates, instructing them to transfer opening fees into the suspects' private bank accounts and later into a fictitious account.
After leaving the company, the mother and daughter continued receiving leads from the third suspect. Joined by the male relative, they expanded the operation, collecting tens of thousands of shekels while victims believed the funds originated from the Tax Authority.
In recent months, the suspects escalated their fraudulent tactics. Instead of filing tax rebate requests, they illegally applied to unlock victims' pension funds, causing clients to suffer severe financial losses and forfeit long-term pension rights.
Police and Border Police forces raided the homes of the four suspects on Sunday morning, arresting them and seizing evidence. The suspects will be brought before the Tiberias Magistrates' Court for a remand hearing as the investigation continues.
