7 from Zimbabwe facing tax-fraud charges in Ohio

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Seven men from Zimbabwe have been charged with running a tax- fraud scheme in Cincinnati that netted millions of dollars. A federal grand jury indicted the men Thursday, charging them with conspiracy and fraud.

The indictment says the men ran a tax-preparation business, and that between 2006 and 2010, used the identities of up to 658 people to file false tax returns and collect between $2.4 million and $10 million.

The indictment says the men sent money and dozens of luxury cars and semi-trucks back to Zimbabwe but that they also kept much of the profits for themselves.

Among items seized by authorities were multiple Mercedes Benz cars, a Cadillac, an Audi, a BMW, watches by Burberry and Gucci, and numerous laptops, iPads, and TVs.