NBR Warns Taxpayers Against Fraudulent Audit Extortion Scams

The National Revenue Board (NBR) has issued an urgent warning to taxpayers across the country following reports of a sophisticated fraud syndicate attempting to extort money by weaponising the tax audit process. Fraudsters have been contacting citizens via unidentified mobile phone numbers, falsely claiming that their tax files have been selected for an official audit.

The scammers typically deploy dual tactics: they either promise to exempt the taxpayer from the audit process in exchange for an illicit financial settlement or threaten them with severe legal consequences and penalties if they refuse to comply.

Strict Official Protocol: NBR’s Direct Response

In response to these escalating deceptive activities, the NBR Chairman, Ahsan Habib, addressed the media on Sunday to reassure the public and clarify official procedures.

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring a harassment-free and transparent service for all legitimate taxpayers,” Chairman Habib stated. “Under no circumstances should taxpayers be misled by the temptations or intimidation tactics used by these fraudsters. We strongly urge the public not to engage in any financial transactions through these unauthorized channels.”

The Chairman further advised that if anyone receives a suspicious call from an individual claiming to be an NBR official demanding money, they must immediately report the incident to their nearest police station or law enforcement agency. He emphasised that the NBR is prepared to take the strictest possible legal action against perpetrators.

Standard Operating Procedures for Tax Audits

To prevent further victimization, the NBR has explicitly clarified the institutional boundaries regarding tax audits.

• Written Notification Only: The revenue authority categorically stated that no official or employee ever contacts taxpayers using personal mobile phone numbers, text messages, or unofficial communication platforms regarding audit selections. If a tax file is legally selected for an audit, the concerned taxpayer is notified exclusively through a formal, physical written notice issued under statutory laws.

• No Digital Wallet Payments: The NBR reiterated that all outstanding taxes, penalties, or official fees must be deposited directly into the state exchequer solely through government challans (chalan).

• Authorised Channels: No tax official possesses the authority to accept money personally, nor through mobile financial services (MFS) such as bikaš, Rocket, or Nagad, nor via private bank accounts.

Taxpayers who receive dubious phone calls, text messages, or emails are strongly advised not to panic, but rather to verify the authenticity of the claim by directly contacting the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Taxes in their respective taxes zone.

Context of Ongoing Tax Audits

This spike in fraudulent activity coincides with the NBR’s broader institutional drive to enhance revenue collection and audit compliance. The authority has significantly scaled up its oversight mechanisms over the past year.

For context, in July 2025, the NBR initiated a massive compliance drive, selecting approximately 88,000 income tax returns for auditing across two distinct phases—15,494 returns in the first phase and 72,341 returns in the second. Adding to this volume, the revenue board recently selected an additional 5,014 personal income tax returns for audit scrutiny on 30 June.

Criminal networks are believed to be exploiting these publicised figures to induce panic among unsuspecting citizens. The NBR hopes that by reinforcing public awareness of standard bureaucratic procedures, it can effectively neutralise the threat posed by these extortionists.