A man in Ambato has been sentenced to eight months in prison and fined after being found guilty of impersonating a public official from the Servicio de Rentas Internas (SRI). The conviction followed an incident where the individual pretended to be an SRI employee, using a fake credential to request money from a business owner during what he claimed was an official tax inspection.
The case began when a taxpayer reported the suspicious activity to authorities. The incident took place at a commercial establishment located at López de Solís and Obispo Riera streets, in the southern bypass area of Ambato.
Investigations revealed that the convicted person approached the business owner with falsified identification and attempted to collect money under false pretenses. The SRI participated as an affected party in the legal proceedings. During an abbreviated trial process, the court issued a sentence that includes eight months of imprisonment, a fine equal to four unified basic salaries, and requires the defendant to issue a written public apology to the Tax Administration as part of comprehensive reparations.
“The SRI reiterates its commitment to strengthen control mechanisms nationwide to combat tax fraud and prevent acts of corruption,” stated the agency. “Likewise, it calls on citizens to report any suspicious activity related to alleged tax fraud, ensuring that these cases will be brought before the State Attorney General’s Office for proper legal processing.”
The Tax Administration also reminded citizens that its officials are properly identified, all procedures are free of charge, and any payments must be made only through financial institutions.
