PROJECT: TAX SEASON HAS BECOME OPEN SEASON FOR CRIMINALS (PART 1)
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Every year, as South Africa's tax filing season approaches, millions of honest taxpayers prepare
to submit their income tax returns. Unfortunately, taxpayers are not the only ones preparing.
Criminal syndicates, cybercriminals and fraudsters also view tax season as one of the most profitable periods of the year.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has repeatedly warned the public about a sharp increase in scams during tax season. Criminals exploit the urgency and anxiety surrounding tax returns by sending convincing emails, SMS messages, WhatsApp messages and even making telephone calls pretending to represent SARS.
Their objective is simple: to steal your identity, your banking information and ultimately your money.
Financial cybercrime has become one of South Africa's fastest-growing criminal threats.
While many scams involve relatively small amounts, the cumulative losses suffered by individuals, businesses and financial institutions amount to hundreds of millions of rand each year.
For organised criminal syndicates, tax season represents another opportunity to exploit unsuspecting victims
through deception and identity theft.
THE MOST COMMON SARS SCAMS:
Fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated and frequently impersonate SARS using official-looking logos, letterheads and electronic communications.
Common scams include:
Fake notifications claiming you qualify for a tax refund.
Emails requesting taxpayers to verify banking details.
SMS messages containing fraudulent links to counterfeit SARS websites.
WhatsApp messages requesting immediate payment of alleged outstanding taxes.
Telephone calls from individuals claiming to be SARS officials demanding payment to avoid arrest or legal action.
Fake customs notifications advising recipients to pay taxes or duties before parcels can be released.
Many of these fraudulent websites are almost indistinguishable from the legitimate SARS website, making them particularly dangerous for unsuspecting taxpayers.
IDENTITY THEFT IS THE CRIMINALS' PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
Many victims believe criminals are only interested in stealing money. In reality, identity theft is often the ultimate objective.
Your personal information—including your ID number, tax reference number, banking details and contact information—can be used to:
Submit fraudulent tax returns.
Redirect legitimate tax refunds.
Open bank accounts.
Apply for loans and credit facilities.
Register companies.
Commit VAT and payroll fraud.
Conduct further financial crimes using your identity.
Once personal information has been compromised, victims may spend months or even years repairing the financial and legal consequences.
CRIMINALS ALSO TARGET BUSINESSES:
Businesses, accountants, payroll administrators and financial managers are increasingly targeted through sophisticated phishing campaigns and business email compromise schemes.
Criminals frequently:
Impersonate company executives.
Alter banking details on invoices.
Divert legitimate tax payments.
Steal employee payroll information.
Gain access to company financial systems.
A single successful attack can result in devastating financial losses and expose confidential client information.
BEWARE OF FAKE TAX PRACTITIONERS:
Another growing concern is the emergence of individuals posing as tax consultants or SARS specialists.
These fraudsters often promise:
Guaranteed tax refunds.
Inflated deductions.
Faster assessments.
"Special relationships" within SARS.
Some even submit false tax returns without the taxpayer fully understanding the contents, exposing innocent individuals to criminal investigations, penalties and interest.
Remember: taxpayers remain legally responsible for the accuracy of every tax return submitted in their name.
PROTECT YOURSELF DURING TAX SEASON:
There are several practical steps every taxpayer should follow:
Never click on links contained in unsolicited SARS emails or SMS messages.
Access your SARS profile only through the official SARS website or authorised eFiling platforms.
Never disclose passwords, One-Time PINs (OTPs) or banking credentials to anyone.
Verify any unexpected communication by contacting SARS directly through its official channels.
Ensure your banking details remain accurate and secure.
Make use only of registered and reputable tax practitioners.
Monitor your bank accounts and SARS profile regularly for unusual activity.
If something appears suspicious, it almost certainly deserves further verification.
TAX FRAUD IS A SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENCE:
While taxpayers must protect themselves from criminals, they should also resist the temptation to participate in fraudulent schemes.
Submitting false deductions, inflating expenses, purchasing fake invoices, concealing income or deliberately providing false information to SARS constitutes tax fraud.
These offences may result in substantial financial penalties, criminal prosecution and imprisonment.
Tax compliance is not simply a financial obligation—it is a legal responsibility.
CRIME PREVENTION BEGINS WITH AWARENESS:
Modern criminals increasingly rely on deception rather than violence.
Instead of forcing open doors, they manipulate victims into willingly providing confidential information.
The best defence remains awareness, caution and verification.
Every taxpayer should approach unsolicited tax-related communication with scepticism.
A few moments spent verifying a message can prevent months—or even years—of financial hardship and identity theft.
Specialised Security Services (SSS) encourages members of the public to remain vigilant throughout the tax season.
Anyone who becomes a victim of identity theft, financial fraud, cybercrime or organised criminal activity should report the matter immediately and seek professional assistance.
For more than three decades, Mr. Mike Bolhuis and the Specialist Investigators of Specialised Security Services
have assisted individuals, businesses and families affected by serious financial crime,
fraud and complex criminal investigations.
Early intervention often makes the difference between recovering losses and becoming another statistic.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
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