A Patentia, West Bank Demerara businessman is now counting his losses after five men outfitted with identification as Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Officers descended upon his business and relieved him of a quantity of liquor, cellphone cards and cash.
The businessman has been identified as Ram (only name given). According to reports, the man was tending to his business when the men entered and identified themselves sometime after midday on Friday. He allowed them access and after that, they revealed their true identities when they started to demand cash among other things.
The men also took the CCTV DVR hard-drive and escaped in a silver Bluebird motorcar. Ram quickly alerted the Police and a number of roadblocks were quickly established but the men made good their escape.
The recent attack came after a similar group visited the business place of a woman and escaped with a quantity of liquor as well.
Meanwhile, the GRA is advising the businesses to be on the lookout for persons posing as GRA officers who are visiting shops and other business premises to conduct “enforcement checks.” Several of these reported acts have occurred on the East Coast of Demerara, East Bank of Demerara and West Coast of Demerara in recent weeks.
Take the following precautions; request proof of identification since all staff of the GRA are required to carry identification cards during the course of their duties; note the identification number and name of any individual claiming to be from the GRA; verify the legitimacy of the exercise by calling 227-6060 extension numbers 3201-3208 or 4601; and officers of the GRA are not authorised to collect monies from taxpayers since all payments are to be made at the cashier’s – GRA’s regional offices and its headquarters,” the GRA said.
The Police investigations are still ongoing.
