The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved on Tuesday to seek a court order to confiscate nearly 598 million baht in assets from a former revenue official allegedly involved in a value-added tax refund scam.
NACC chairman Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said public prosecutors would be asked to seek the confiscation of assets worth 597.73 million baht from Suwat Charumaneeroj, a former technical specialist at a Bangkok office of the Revenue Department. The office oversees Bang Khun Thian and Chom Thong districts.
The anti-graft panel investigation has found that 26 export firms that had fraudulently sought VAT refunds had transferred 415.90 million baht to Mr Suwat and people close to him. Mr Suwat failed to explain the sources of many assets held by himself, his family members, relatives of his wife and related companies.
Those assets were estimated to be worth a total of 597.73 million baht and included blocks of land, a vehicle, bank deposits and a stock portfolio. The NACC had earlier frozen the assets for investigation.
The NACC's action is part of its investigation into a racket involving 4.3 billion baht in fraudulent VAT refunds in 2012 and 2013. Senior finance officials were suspended and sacked and 10 revenue officials were suspected of involvement.