American tax officials

Chapter 45 Cooperation and Win-Win

Like most Muslim men.

He also had a thick beard, but his face was thin, his cheekbones were high, and his eyes were small and deep-set with a shifty gaze, giving him an air of cunning and shrewdness.

[Name: Ibrahim Adam]

[Occupation: Watch shop owner, ringleader in the sale of stolen goods.]

Monthly income: $3568 (legal), $643,000 (illegal).

[Detailed income breakdown: December 3, purchased a batch of jewelry and watches stolen by Ghasim Ravi, a gang member in the Old Town, for a profit of $70,000; December 17, purchased a painting stolen by Mubenba Nia from the Black community, for a profit of $90,000...]

[More details: ...]

Tax payable: US$254628.

"It's a fat sheep..."

After scanning the old man's tax records, David's lips curled into a smile.

At this moment, Ibrahim spoke up, asking, "Hello, you two, how can I help you?"

He could tell that the two people in front of him were neither there to look at the watch nor to have it repaired.

"Ibrahim Adam, is that right?"

Hearing David call him by his name directly, Ibrahim's eyes flickered even more uncertainly, but he still answered truthfully, "Yes."

"We are IRS inspectors!"

"IRS?"

Ibrahim was slightly startled, then his mind raced. After confirming that he hadn't missed any taxes, he replied, "Oh, it's an inspector from the IRS. Although my shop is a small business, I always pay my taxes on time every month..."

David walked over and sat down opposite him, looking directly into his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "I know I'm not here to check your shop's taxes; I'm here to check the taxes of your other job!"

Ibrahim's expression froze, and his heart was filled with ripples of emotion.

Could it be that……

Has my true identity been exposed?

But even if it's exposed, shouldn't it be the police or the FBI who come knocking?

What business does the IRS have of this?

He couldn't understand, so in an attempt to get information out of him, he feigned ignorance and asked, "Inspector, I don't think I understand what you're saying!"

"It's okay, I'll explain it to you!"

David wasn't in a hurry and slowly said, "On the 3rd of last month, our United States Congress passed a bill..."

A few minutes later, even the cunning and shrewd Ibrahim couldn't help but show a stunned expression.

From now on, any illegal activity, whether it's drug trafficking, robbery, or theft, will require paying taxes to the IRS.

As long as they pay their taxes to the IRS, the IRS will not interfere with their illegal activities and will even keep their identities confidential.

This feels a bit like a gang extorting protection money from civilians—pay and you're fine, refuse and they'll make things difficult for you!

But the IRS is a legitimate government agency. How is this kind of tactic any different from extortion?

Ibrahim was completely bewildered and shook his head innocently, saying, "No, inspector, I think you've made a mistake. As you can see, my shop is operating a legitimate business. Where would any illegal income come from?"

David looked him straight in the eye: "Are you sure?"

Ibrahim nodded.

"Do you know Nagasim Ravi?"

Upon hearing the name, Ibrahim's expression changed slightly, but he quickly masked it and shook his head, saying, "I don't know him."

"Where is Mubenba Nia?"

"I don't know him..."

David laughed, but it was a mocking laugh, and said, "On the 3rd of last month, Ghasim gave you a batch of jewelry and two green Submariners. Have you forgotten already?"

Ibrahim's expression changed again.

"On December 7th, Mubenba brought you a painting and calligraphy piece from the Tang Dynasty in China, which you then sold to the owner of the Cam Casino for $70,000. Have you forgotten about that?"

The information David pointed out made even the cunning Ibrahim lose control of his expression, which darkened completely.

But he still stubbornly insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't know any Mubenbagasim!"

David turned to Nissen: "Did you hear that?"

"I heard you!"

Nissen understood immediately and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Ibrahim couldn't sit still any longer and immediately shouted, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Didn't you say you didn't know them? Fine, should I invite them over so we can confront each other face to face?"

"No need!"

Ibrahim's face was so gloomy it could drip ink.

He knew what kind of people those guys were, and confronting them would only make things more awkward.

The IRS has so much information on him, it seems he can't deny it anymore.

"That's right! We're just after your money. Once you pay, we'll leave without disturbing your business. It's a win-win situation!"

Hearing David's shameless words, Ibrahim cursed inwardly.

Win-win cooperation?

So you're using the official name to extort me, and you call that a win-win cooperation?

The only one who will win is probably your IRS!

Although he was furious, he dared not argue and could only reply, "I recently bought a house and lost a lot of money at the casino. I'm having some cash flow problems. Could you give me some more time?"

He was naturally unwilling to be blackmailed like this, so he planned to drag it out as long as possible, considering it a small act of revenge.

David sneered and said, "It's just over 20. Don't tell me you can't come up with that kind of money!"

"Over 20?"

Ibrahim was stunned, and at the same time, he was filled with doubt.

"Your monthly income is over 60, so according to the tax rate, it's only over 20!"

A storm raged within Ibrahim's heart.

He originally thought that the IRS had only investigated his identity, as well as Mubenba and Ghasim.

I never expected that even my monthly income would be so clear.

Does that mean that, apart from Mubenba and Ghasim, every single transaction he made in the past month has been monitored?

When the hell did the IRS start investigating him? How come he didn't notice anything?!

After a long while, Ibrahim finally managed to calm down and said, "Since you already know, then as I said, 20 is no small sum. I need some time to raise it."

"How long will it take you?"

"One month... no, it might take two months!"

David chuckled at this, then said in an unyielding tone, "One day. I'm only giving you one day. I want to see your taxes tomorrow!"

With only 11 days left until the assessment period, he wasn't about to let the other party drag it out for that long.

Moreover, through the power of his cheat system, he realized that 20 was not a large sum of money for the old Egyptian man.

He can produce it almost anytime he wants to.

(End of this chapter)