Detectives from the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad supported by officers from the Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural) and Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have charged 18 people with 223 Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud offences, on the Atherton Tablelands.
Operation Uniform Galician was launched in the Far North in 2022, to investigate several people involved in a number of large-scale deceptions against government agencies and financial institutions where they provided false details in order to receive fraudulent payments.
It will be alleged these individuals collectively defrauded the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of in excess of $2 million.
The investigation is in partnership with the ATO's Operation Protego, an investigation into widespread GST fraud where offenders invented fake businesses and submitted fictitious Business Activity Statements in an attempt to gain a false GST refund.
Since Operation Uniform Galician launched, the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad along with the ATO have charged 84 Cairns and Tablelands offenders with defrauding the ATO of more than $8.5 million.
A 40-year-old Mareeba woman was charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and two counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 49-year-old Tolga woman was charged with three counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 47-year-old Mareeba man was charged with eight counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
All three are due to appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on May 26.
A 47-year-old Wongabel woman was charged with eight counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 34-year-old Atherton woman was charged with five counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, nine counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception, and one count of dealing in proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more.
A 41-year-old Atherton man was charged with 12 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, and eight counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 27-year-old Tarzali man was charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and 11 counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 28-year-old Atherton woman was charged with 17 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and six counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 49-year-old Kairi woman was charged with five counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 27-year-old Atherton woman was charged with eight counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and two counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 47-year-old Atherton woman was charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 37-year-old Tolga woman was charged with six counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and one count of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 54-year-old Atherton woman was charged with two counts each of obtaining financial advantage by deception and attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 39-year-old Atherton woman was charged with six counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and five counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 33-year-old Herberton man was charged with seven counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and 24 counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 48-year-old Normanton man was charged with five counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and three counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 50-year-old Elimbah man was charged with nine counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception and two counts of attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 54-year-old Mackay woman was charged with nine counts each of obtaining financial advantage by deception and attempted obtaining financial advantage by deception.
All 15 people are due to appear in the Atherton Magistrates Court on May 27.
Officer in charge of the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grace said police continue to target this type of offending.
"The Queensland Police Service (QPS) will continue to work closely with our government partners to identify and prosecute criminals who profit from defrauding the government," Detective Senior Sergeant Grace said.
"The cost of offending is large and has a real impact on the economy and community, the results would not have been possible without the assistance provided by the Australian Taxation Office."
ATO acting Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce Chief Kath Anderson reinforced that if you're involved in fraud on the ATO, it's just a matter of time before we find you.
"GST fraud is not a victimless crime and there are consequences for committing it," Ms Anderson said.
"These consequences can have a huge impact on your life, from employment, the ability to get a loan, to asset confiscation and ultimately jail time".
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
