VIN Exclusive: US Government Sniping for Wesley!

VIN WORLD EXCLUSIVE!

Special Report by Mr Smith

'Former actor' Wesley Snipes (allegedly last seen outside numerous producers houses) is wanted on eight counts of tax fraud - worth about £6million - and could face up to 16 years in jail if convicted. The on-the-run 'film star' has turned up in Namibia to film a Western horror movie.

Prosecutors in the US said last week he had not yet been arrested as his whereabouts were "unknown".

But yesterday it emerged he had been filming Gallowwalker in the southern African state for several months.

Snipes is accused with Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile, all from Florida, of making false tax refund claims. The group, which later became known as the disturbingly cult sounding Guiding Light of God Ministries, is said to take a 20 per cent cut from tax refunds to clients.

Luckily for Snipes (and other tax evaders) he is unlikely to have to face investigators while he remains in Namibia, as the country has no extradition treaty with the USA . And despite his tax troubles, the Hollywood hardman has been living a life of luxury there, splashing out about £14,000 renting two sea-view mansions and an extra (rumoured) £15,000 on a monkey butler, and a dwarf-like cook he has dubbed "vampire boy".

He has also been spotted out and about with the locals who welcomed A-list couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt there in May for the birth of their daughter Shiloh Nouvel.

D-list Snipes signed the back of a photograph of himself in a gym at Sawkopmund with local artist Nesbert Muzuwa: "From a great artist to another great artist. Long life and bright light." Muzuwa, however allegedly walked away with the photo confused as he was exercising at the time and had no idea who Snipes was.

He is also rumoured to be buying an exhibition of local art at a store called African Emporium.

Filming of Gallowwalker has also been hit by financial woes - cash flow problems left crew members without pay for three weeks until an investor stepped in to save the day.

In 2005, South Africa refused to admit Snipes after officials claimed he had a forged passport.

VIN will update you on more progress of this fascinating exclusive celebrity based story.