Nashville-area tax day raids yield more than $1M in cash
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Federal authorities have arrested four people, accusing them of being involved in an income tax fraud ring after agents raided several Nashville-area tax preparation businesses.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Nashville says authorities seized more than $1 million in cash in the April 15 raids.
Officials say the fraudulent tax returns filed in January and February sought millions of dollars in refunds.
Those arrested were 40-year-old Byron Fernandez-Virula Sr.; his 23-year-old son, Byron Fernandez-Virula Jr.; and 33-year-old Wilmar Soto-Virula, all of Madison. Also charged was 38-year-old Victor Oliva of Hendersonville.
In addition, the elder Fernandez-Virula and Soto-Virula are also charged with being in the country illegally and possessing a firearm.
According to officials, the scheme involved tax returns with an array of false information, including bogus wages and false dependents.
