Israeli Tax Authority Arrests Man Suspected of Fake Invoices After Three-Week Hiding

Dudu Ohana, 52, from Rehovot, was arrested in a hotel room in Hadera by Israeli Tax Authority investigators on suspicion of issuing false invoices and submitting fraudulent tax reports. Ohana had evaded questioning for weeks and was tracked down through technological surveillance after renting a hotel suite far from his home to allegedly continue managing his operations, including shell companies and proxies. The arrest was conducted by a joint operation of the Customs and VAT Investigations Unit in Beersheba, the Tax Authority's Targets Unit, and Hadera police.

During the search of Ohana's hotel room, authorities seized computers, mobile phones, credit card terminals, and lawyers' stamps suspected of being used to forge documents. The Tax Authority's investigator, Naama Masika, revealed that on the day of the search at Ohana's home, his son burned documents and evidence on a backyard grill to obstruct the investigation. The son was detained and later released under restrictive conditions. The investigation began around June following suspicions of fake invoice deductions in one company and has since expanded, involving dozens of suspects and numerous investigative actions.

Ohana's lawyer, Yossi Hamzani, requested his release, arguing that the suspect is a father of four undergoing divorce proceedings and that the investigation has been ongoing for months. He claimed that Ohana's failure to appear was not equivalent to fleeing and that the prolonged detention request was excessive. The judge, Eran Tzabari, extended Ohana's detention by six days, citing reasonable suspicion of involvement in economic crimes, including obstruction of justice, and noting Ohana's attempt to hide with incriminating materials. The judge indicated that Ohana might be released later and the investigation could continue by other means.

This case is part of a broader crackdown by the Beersheba Customs and VAT Investigations Unit on fake invoices in the construction sector, with recent indictments involving tens of millions of shekels. The investigation continues with forensic examinations and further interrogations planned.