GRA launches sensitisation campaigns against scammers

Businesses operating in the Berbice regions (Regions Five and Six) are being alerted to be wary of scammers alleging attachment to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) while they pose as GRA officers and swindle small businesses of their cash through scams.

In tackling the issue, the GRA hosted a Regional Tax Sensitisation Campaign between June 4 and 5, 2018, during which a team of GRA officials visited shops and supermarkets in New Amsterdam and on the Corentyne Coast to sensitise proprietors about precautionary measures they should take.
GRA continues to advise members of the public to be on the lookout for persons posing as Customs and Enforcement Officers under the guise of conducting “enforcement checks”. Several of these reported acts have occurred in various parts of the country in recent weeks.
A similar incident reportedly occurred at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), where five men outfitted with identification badges as Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Officers descended upon a business and collected a quantity of liquor, cellphone cards and cash from the owner.
According to reports, the businessman was tending to his business when the men entered the shop and identified themselves as GRA employees. They also took the CCTV DVR hard-drive as they left in a silver Bluebird motor car.
That attack came just days after a similar group had visited a business place at Oronoque Street, Georgetown, where a quantity of liquor was allegedly seized and the caretaker was threatened with court action, the bogus officers demanding from the caretaker money to avoid prosecution.
In light of these recent incidents, the GRA is advising persons to request proof of identification, since all GRA staff are required to carry identification cards while executing their duties.
If persons are in doubt, they are advised to contact the GRA’s Enforcement hotline on telephone number 227-6060, extension numbers 3201 to 3208, or 2601 for clarification and advice.