- Up to 150 Australian Taxation Office staff investigated for suspected involvement in a $2 billion fraud scam
- Operation Protego was set up to target people benefiting from fake GST refunds
- Social media videos offered advice on how to claim more money through GST refunds
- Suspects tried to claim false refunds ranging from $38,900 to $2.4 million
- 57% of individuals involved in the fraud were receiving a government benefit
- More than $2 billion reclaimed by the tax office, with $2.7 billion stopped from being transferred
- Over 100 arrests and 16 convictions made as of August 2023
- 150 tax office staff were investigated, with termination of employment and criminal investigations as treatment strategies
- $120 million in financial penalties issued to participants in the fraudulent scheme
- Majority of the 150 people linked with the tax office were former contractors or employees not working at the time
- Action taken against 12 people substantiated as committing fraud
- ATO has zero tolerance for fraud and corrupt behavior, expects highest level of integrity from staff and contractors.
Source: katherinetimes.com.au
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
