Rs 47 Crore GST Fraud Busted in Multi-State Operation

A significant Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud exceeding Rs 47 crore has been exposed by a joint operation involving Assam police and the state GST Department. Eight people have been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in using fake invoices within the bitumen trade to unlawfully claim tax credits. This elaborate scheme aimed to evade taxes and illegally secure GST benefits through forged documents and shell transactions.

The successful bust was the result of simultaneous raids executed in Guwahati, various locations in Bihar, and West Bengal. These operations were initiated based on specific intelligence and detailed financial investigations, leading to the apprehension of individuals believed to be part of a well-organized, multi-state fraud syndicate. Three arrests were made in Bihar's Patna, two in West Bengal, and three in Assam's Guwahati.

This extensive enforcement action marks a notable step for the Assam GST Department, being their first major operation conducted outside the state's borders. Authorities are pursuing further leads and indicate that more arrests and financial scrutiny may follow as the investigation delves deeper into the wider network associated with the alleged fake invoice and Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud. The probe is expected to uncover more individuals involved in tax evasion within the bitumen business.