“Today’s plea shows the continued efforts of the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute those citizens who use offshore accounts to hide income and assets,” said John DiCicco, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “American taxpayers should rest assured that those who do not file accurate tax returns and who utilize offshore accounts to hide money will be investigated, and when appropriate, prosecuted and sent to jail.”
Mr. Silva agreed to forfeit $211,200 in U.S. currency once held in the Swiss account after officials seized the money from packages when the money was mailed to Mr. Silva’s home in Virginia.
“We are capable of thwarting offshore banking schemes because of the increase cooperation among ICE, Postal Service, and the IRS,” said Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for Virginia. “The tax charges in this case came to light because agents caught Mr. Silva structuring cash to avoid reporting requirements, and that kind of coordination is making it possible for us to discover Americans who conceal their wealth overseas and make them pay for their actions.”
United States citizens and residents have an obligation to report to the Internal Revenue Service with all earned income and interest made from bank accounts.
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