The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has reported another fraud in the system which was detected by the Internal Audit Division and is estimated to be on the scale of $600,000.

The scam, the second in a few months, was discovered during a routine audit investigation, according to a press release from GRA. The agency said yesterday that the employees suspected to be involved have been identified and a police investigation has been triggered.

Commenting on the fraud, Commissioner General of GRA Khurshid Sattaur said that while it may be impossible to prevent corruption in the system the potency of internal control mechanisms must not be compromised. He was quoted in the press release saying “while the magnitude of this fraud is estimated to be in the vicinity of $600,000 the fact that GRA is capable of detecting these activities is commendable”.

GRA had been previously rocked by other corruption scandals including the $300 million fraud which occurred in November last year.

The agency dismissed the officers involved in the incident which it reported had resulted from collusion between staff of the Information Techno-logy Division and the cashier area.
Two of the officers were later charged while another suspect fled the country and another was granted bail. GRA said yesterday that it is awaiting the investigation of the police force and the Auditor General’s office to proceed with the prosecution.

The agency said too that the cashier who disappeared with the daily takings instead of banking it was dismissed.