In social networks, concern has emerged between merchants and consumers After the dissemination of a video in which an assumption government worker demands permissions for the sale of Tortillas In a neighborhood store.
In the images, the individual asks the owner with a health license To market tortillas and a SAT permission to issue invoices or be registered as Little Taxpayer.
At the end of the video, the man states that all stores must meet these requirements.
The recording has generated doubts about the inspection veracityhence Free press He consulted the authorities to clarify the situation.
Video analysis
The material has caused a stir, especially because in the recording a agent of the National Civil Police (PNC) In the establishment. However, at the beginning of the video it is seen that the police make a purchase, which could explain the presence of a patrol in the place, discarding a possible inter -institutional operation.
The individual who does the inspection wears a black leather jacket With an embroidery and a Blue cap With the national shield, but it is not possible to confirm whether it is officially identified or which institution belongs to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roouvqtpobi
Free press He consulted the corresponding entities on possible joint operations to verify compliance with current regulations.
Answers
Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance
The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) He clarified that the video cannot be confirmed that the person is part of his staff.
In addition, he indicated that his competence is limited to demanding the health license for food manipulation, without powers to control tax issues, which correspond to the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT)
For its part, the SAT reported that its Intendance of Supervision He has no assigned personnel to perform field inspections in Guatemala right now.
The next programmed supervision will be in April, on the occasion of the increase in commercial activity during Easter week.
OLD ESTAFA MODE
Could it be a scam? It would not be the first time that unscrupulous people get through public employee to deceive the population.
In 2019, a group of scammers He passed through Supervisors of the Municipality of Guatemalausing falsified documents to enter homes and commit robberies.
Also, in 2020 cases of Importers that They passed through workers from the Guatemala Electric Company To steal Transformerstaking advantage of the curfew tax during the Covid Pandemia.
In December 2024, the PNC captured a man who pretended to be an employee of Public Ministry (MP) to enter homes and commit crimes.
How to identify an official worker?
To avoid being a victim of fraud, on other occasions the authorities have recommended taking into account the following measures when receiving inspectors in business or homes:
- Official identification: Every worker from a government institution must carry uniform and a Official card With verifiable data.
- Institutional contact: You must have a Telephone number of the institution to confirm the identity of the worker.
- Specific functions: Each entity can only verify aspects within its competence. For example, SAT audores must present a Official appointment When making business visits.
- Previous notices: Government entities usually announce in advance in social networks and Official means any Supervisory operation.
- The SATpreviously informs about its inspections.
- The DIACO Communicate your surveillance measures
- He INEbefore making a censuspublish how your staff will be identified, and
- He Mspas It also announces Specific health campaigns.
The authorities urged citizens to remain informed through Official channels already Report any irregularity to the corresponding institutions, in order to avoid fraud and guarantee compliance with the law.