THREE Zimbabwean men have been indicted on allegations of tax fraud in Texas, United States, and face up to five years in jail each if convicted.

Elton A Gutara, 31, Douglas Zinyama, 37 and Tonderai K. Chari, age not released, were indicted in the Eastern District of Texas on February 11 on suspicion of filing 318 false tax returns to return more than $805,000 fraudulently.

Separately, Gutara is charged with nine counts of filing a false tax return and Chari is charged with two additional counts of filing a false return.

Each count could add three years to their term if they are convicted.

According to the indictment, from November 2006 to January 2007, Gutura, Zinyama, and Chari, all employed by Tax Expedia, are alleged to have falsified tax return information in approximately 318 tax returns in order to receive tax refund payments or increased tax refund payments in the amount of $805,181.

Gutura and Zinyama appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Don D. Bush on February 17, and have been detained pending their arraignments, U.S. Attorney John Bales said in a press release.

All three men are charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States.