KIEV, June 14 (RAPSI) - The recent searches in WebMoney's Kiev office were illegal, and the tax authorities' claim that the payment system is being used in tax evasion schemes is 'absurd,' WebMoney.UA said in a statement on Friday.
On Tuesday, the tax authorities in Kiev searched WebMoney's office and revealed a high number of violations committed by the company which acts as the guarantor of the payment system's work. In particular, the company failed to coordinate its work with the national Bank of Ukraine.
The authorities have seized a large amount of computer equipment which was used for the system's operation. "Over 60 million Hryvnas ($7.5 million) held in the bank accounts of companies which were part of in the illegal system have been frozen," the Ukrainian Ministry of Incomes and Fees said.
"The official sources' claim that WebMoney is being used for tax evasion is absurd because paying taxes and dues is the responsibility of each individual or company, regardless of the payment system they use to generate income," the statement reads.
The company said it has been trying to coordinate the electronic system's rules with the National Bank since 2010, but the regulator has not yet considered the final version of these rules, as is stated in the National Bank's official response to a request made by WebMoney's partner bank on May 25, 2011.
The suggestion that WebMoney could have been used for making transfers to Ponzi schemes shows the authorities' unfamiliarity with the matter, WebMoney.UA said: "The system's rules have never allowed the organization of, or participation in any financial pyramids, and any attempts to violate this rule have been checked immediately."
WebMoney Transfer is a global settlement system and environment for online business activities, established in 1998. WebMoney Transfer Technology is based on providing all its users with unique interfaces which allow them to operate and control individual property rights for valuables (assets) stored in specialized entities, the Guarantors.
