CINCINNATI, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department says seven men from Zimbabwe have been indicted for allegedly filing false U.S. income tax returns to obtain up to $10 million.
The suspects -- Kudzaiishe Marimbire, 34; Julius Marimbire, 32; Hlomera Mabhande, 30; Johanes Tagarisa, 37; Kudzaishe Bungu, 26; Tawanda Marimbire, 23; and Andrew Bere, 22 -- were charged Friday.
Prosecutors said the men allegedly ran a tax preparation service in Cincinnati called Express Refund Center, which they opened in 2007, and used the names and information of their customers to make the false claims.
"In later years, they didn't operate a tax preparation service," said Tim Mangan, an assistant U.S. attorney. "They simply operated in wholesale theft."
The suspects allegedly used the proceeds to buy cars, trucks, computers and watches, which they sent to family members in Zimbabwe, Voice of America reported.
One of the suspects is in custody. The other six are believed to have fled the country.
All of those indicted Friday face federal conspiracy and fraud charges and each could be sentenced to 20 years in prison if convicted.
