Israeli Accountant from Rosh HaAyin Suspected of Theft and Serious Tax Crimes

The Israeli Tax Authority has lifted a gag order to reveal the name of Ohad Ratzon, an accountant from Rosh HaAyin, who is suspected of multiple serious offenses including VAT violations, income tax fraud, money laundering, theft by an authorized person, and aggravated fraud. The suspicions emerged from a joint investigation by the Central Tax Investigations Unit, Customs and VAT Investigations in Jerusalem, and the Jerusalem District Police, supported by the Central District Legal Unit of the Tax Authority.

The investigation began in June 2026 when Ratzon was questioned on suspicion of attempting to fraudulently reduce his tax liability by reporting false expenses totaling approximately 1.41 million shekels without supporting documentation. He was initially released under restrictive conditions with a gag order on his name. In early August 2026, a joint police and tax authority investigation uncovered further evidence suggesting that Ratzon stole money from several clients, aided others in criminal tax evasion, omitted transactions from tax reports, unlawfully deducted inputs, and committed money laundering offenses.

Following these findings, the Tax Authority requested the cancellation of the gag order and imposed a travel ban on Ratzon. Judge Rivka Arad of the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court approved the publication of his name, citing the public interest in disclosure outweighing potential harm to the suspect, as it may lead to uncovering additional victims. A 180-day travel restriction was also ordered. The investigation remains ongoing.