Mildura Crime Investigation Unit detectives last week arrested 10 people in connection to a range of fraud related offences totalling $650,000, as part of an ongoing joint investigation with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Police will allege those arrested were engaging in fraudulent activities, such as creating fake businesses and lodging fraudulent ABNs, prior to submitting false business activity statements to obtain a GST refund they were not entitled to.
Among those arrested were:
• A 20-year-old Mildura female, arrested for allegedly defrauding the ATO of $198,555. She has been charged with attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception. She has been released pending summons.
• A 25-year-old Mildura man, arrested for allegedly defrauding the ATO of $76,875. He has been charged with attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception. He has been released pending summons.
Others arrested and released pending summons include:
• A 21-year-old male from Mildura.
• A 30-year-old female from Mildura.
• A 53-year-old female from Mildura.
• A 42-year-old male from Mildura.
• A 35-year-old female from Mildura.
• A 38-year-old male from Mildura.
• A 21-year-old male from Mildura.
• A 24-year-old female from Mildura.
In April this year, Mildura detectives detected local instances of GST fraud, which total approximately $5 million. Victoria Police contacted the ATO as soon as this information was uncovered.
The arrests were undertaken in connection with the ATO's Operation Protego, an investigation into widespread GST fraud.
This investigation remains ongoing as police are aware of further connected instances of fraud. Anyone with information in relation to these matters is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributed to Detective Acting Sergeant Vanessa Power, Mildura Crime Investigation Unit
"In Mildura, we have already arrested ten people over the past week and there are more to come.
"If you have been involved in this, you should be sitting at home very nervous. Make no mistake, we will be knocking on your door in the near future.
"Stealing from the Commonwealth is not a victimless crime, you are stealing from people in need of Government support and people using public services, such as education and health."
Quotes attributed to ATO Deputy Commissioner John Ford
"Operation Protego is a high priority for the ATO, and we are working closely with law enforcement agencies, Government partners and financial institutions to take criminal action against those who have participated in the fraud."
"We have been warning the community about the consequences of becoming involved in GST fraud for some time. These arrests demonstrate the severity of consequences and our ongoing commitment to hold offenders to account."
If you know or think someone has been involved in tax crime or fraud, including GST refund fraud you can report it confidentially online at ato.gov.au/tipoff or phone 1800 060 062.
Background for journalists:
• For more information about Operation Protego visit ato.gov.au/GSTrefundfraud
• Behind every serious financial crime is a criminal 'persona'. Download the Serious Financial Crime identikit to learn more about the different personas including The Tax Fraud.
