FRCS warns businesses over fake tax certificates, scam cancellation notices

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has issued an urgent warning after detecting fraudulent Tax Clearance and Tax Compliance Certificates, along with fake cancellation notices designed to deceive businesses, government agencies and the public.

FRCS said the fake documents falsely claimed that legitimately issued certificates had been cancelled because of a system error.

The authority warned that the documents were fraudulent, unauthorised and did not originate from FRCS. It said creating, distributing, possessing, using or presenting false tax documents could constitute serious criminal offences punishable by substantial fines, imprisonment or both.

FRCS is urging businesses, government ministries and departments, statutory bodies, financial institutions, procurement entities and members of the public to independently verify the authenticity of any tax certificate before relying on it for official purposes.

The authority also clarified that it does not cancel, revoke or invalidate Tax Clearance or Tax Compliance Certificates through informal emails, third-party correspondence or unverified letters. Any change to the status of a certificate can only be confirmed through FRCS' official systems and Certificate Validation Portal.

FRCS chief executive officer Udit Singh said the Service viewed attempts to undermine the integrity of Fiji's tax administration system very seriously.

"The circulation of fake tax certificates and fraudulent cancellation notices is a deliberate attempt to deceive businesses, government agencies, and the public. FRCS will not tolerate any activity that compromises the integrity of our systems and processes."

Mr Singh urged organisations and individuals not to accept tax certificates without verification.

"We strongly urge all organisations and individuals not to accept any tax certificate at face value. Verification should be undertaken immediately through our official certificate validation portal or directly with FRCS."

He advised organisations that identify suspicious certificates to retain a copy of the document, suspend the relevant transaction or process, and report the matter to FRCS together with details of the individual or entity that submitted it.

Mr Singh also warned of the legal consequences for those involved in producing or using fraudulent documents.

"Any person found to be producing, distributing, possessing, or using fraudulent tax documents will be subject to investigation and appropriate action under the law. These activities may constitute serious criminal offences, and FRCS will work closely with relevant enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are held accountable."

FRCS is encouraging anyone who receives a suspicious certificate, cancellation notice or related correspondence to report it immediately and verify certificates through the official FRCS Certificate Validation Portal before accepting them for business, procurement, regulatory, financial or administrative purposes.