Massive Tax Evasion and Money Laundering Charges Proposed in "Prita" Case
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A draft indictment in the "Prita" case proposes charges of tax offenses and money laundering exceeding 10 billion shekels against 11 suspects and four companies. This would be the largest sum ever in a single indictment if filed. The investigation by Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority uncovered an illegal network suspected of laundering hundreds of millions of shekels. Key suspects Ramadan Abu Jaber and Marwan Abu Zayed allegedly operated illicit financial services, with laundered amounts attributed to them reaching billions of shekels.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Over 10 billion shekels in alleged tax evasion and money laundering are detailed in a draft indictment.
- The "Prita" case involves 11 suspects and four companies operating an illegal financial service network.
- Ramadan Abu Jaber is accused of laundering over 3.23 billion shekels.
- Marwan Abu Zayed is accused of laundering approximately 6.78 billion shekels.
- The investigation was conducted by Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority.
- Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A draft indictment in the "Prita" case proposes charges of tax offenses and money laundering totaling over 10 billion shekels against a group of suspects. If filed, this would represent the largest sum of tax evasion and money laundering ever attributed to defendants in a single indictment. The investigation, led by Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority with the Central District Attorney's Office, focused on a network of financial service providers (changers) and criminal elements suspected of laundering hundreds of millions of shekels. The probe became public on September 6, 2023, with dozens of arrests and seizures of assets, cash, and luxury vehicles.
Suspects were summoned for a pre-indictment hearing this month, where they were presented with the draft charges. These charges detail the establishment of an illegal changer network and the commission of economic offenses. The draft indictment names 11 suspects and four changer companies. Key suspects Ramadan Abu Jaber and Marwan Abu Zayed allegedly sought control of credit service businesses. Due to Marwan's prior criminal record, including convictions for violent and property offenses, they allegedly operated without proper licenses, using nominees to conceal their control over three separate financial service providers and evade regulatory oversight by the Capital Market Authority.
According to the charges, these illicit financial service providers engaged in check discounting of enormous sums. The law requires entities providing credit to register as currency service providers under anti-money laundering regulations. The draft indictment attributes over 3.23 billion shekels in money laundering to Ramadan Abu Jaber, approximately 6.78 billion shekels to Marwan Abu Zayed, and amounts ranging from tens of millions to 2.6 billion shekels to other prominent suspects. It is important to note that Ramadan Abu Jaber and Marwan Abu Zayed are currently suspects and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.