Police officers from the 433rd Lahav Division, together with Tax Authority investigators, arrested an insurance agent and a Tax Authority employee on suspicion of committing bribery, forgery, fraud, and tax offenses in the context of illegally withdrawing pension funds.
In a joint operation by the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime in Lahav 433, the party for the prevention of public corruption, together with the Diamond Unit at the Tax Authority, searches were carried out and several suspects were arrested - including an insurance agent and a Tax Authority employee.
According to suspicion, the suspects acted systematically and conspired to commit crimes of forging certificates and illegally withdrawing early rewards and compensation funds belonging to colleagues, while evading the payment of taxes as required by law, committing bribery and money laundering offenses.
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As part of their activities, the suspects worked to create sophisticated misrepresentations, entered false data into the relevant systems, all with the aim of releasing pension funds, while fraudulently obtaining tax exemptions.
The investigation is in its early stages, and dozens of people involved are expected to be questioned.
The main suspects will be brought later today for a hearing on a request to extend their detention at the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court.
""The Israel Police, Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority once again call on the public to be vigilant against scams and offers to withdraw funds illegally, which are sometimes presented as 'magic solutions,'" the Tax Authority said in a statement.
""Unlawful early withdrawal may materially harm members' pension rights. Responding to offers that involve circumventing tax liability may lead to legal consequences, including criminal proceedings, forfeiture of funds, and significant tax liabilities.".
