China's Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday tripled the
reward for information on three former managers wanted for
fraud.
Class-A warrants have been issued for Zhang Shirong, Song
Zengtao and Li Juncheng and the reward for information leading to
their arrests has risen from 150,000 yuan to 450,000 yuan (US$
56,250).
The trio were suspected of falsifying receipts to fraudulently
claim a total of 323 million yuan in their positions as managers or
directors of three leather companies in north China's Hebei
Province during 2004 and 2005.
They were suspected of issuing falsified special receipts for
the purchase of agricultural produce with purchases of other
materials or non-existing items.
The issuers of special receipts for purchasing agricultural
produce enjoy preferential tax policies.
The ministry issued a class-A warrant for their arrests on
Nov.27, offering the public a reward of 50,000 yuan (US$ 6,250) for
information or the arrest of each man.
The misuse and forgery of receipts is a growing problem in
China.
The National Bureau of Statistics in April revealed nine cases
of tax evasion by falsifying receipts, involving 1.45 billion yuan
(US$ 181 million). At least 22 people were convicted.
Other cases involved falsifying import documents, the recycling
business and the purchase and transportation of agricultural
products, said an official with the bureau.
(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2006)