HCM CITY: The Tan Son Nhat Airport’s custom officers have seized a Vietnamese-American national for allegedly pocketing about VND2.2 billion (US$100,900) in a value-added tax refund scam.
The 39-year-old suspect was caught on Sunday, when he arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport on a flight from Kuala Lumpur, with luxury fashion accessories worth VND624 million (US$28,600).
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Earlier that day, he had left HCM City for Malaysia’s capital city after allegedly claiming more than VND48 million (US$2,200) in VAT refunds for the same items that included Hermes ties, handbags and belts.
The man allegedly began his scam last year, and pocketed more than VND2.2 billion, the customs department said, adding that relevant agencies in HCM City and Ha Noi were jointly investigating the case.
Viet Nam started offering VAT refunds to foreign tourists in July 2012.
Under Vietnamese law, goods eligible for tax refunds should be new and worth at least VND2 million (US$95).
Foreigners are given 60 days from the date of purchase of the item to claim the tax refunds.
