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Tax Office Staff Suspected in $2 Billion GST Refund Scam: Investigation and Criminal Charges Imposed

  • 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.

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