Bhubaneswar: A multi-crore GST (Goods & Services Tax) scam was busted in Odisha and four persons were arrested in this connection, according to reports.
The GST enforcement authorities busted the major racket involving generation of fake GST invoices for fraudulently claiming input tax credit on goods not supplied, said State GST Commissioner Sushil Kumar Lohani.
Four persons have been held for their involvement in fraudulently availing and passing of bogus input credit of Rs 138 crore on the strength of fake invoices, the official informed.
The accused have been identified as Rama Chandra Mallick and Aditya Nayak both partners in Biraja Steel, Dindayal Agarwal, lessee of Biraja Steel, and Atul Bansal.
Atul Bansal is the mastermind in the inter-state GST fraud, Lohani added.
Investigations have revealed that following a novel modus operandi, Bansal, along with others, had created as many as 20 fictitious firms in the name of several persons, including housewives, taxi drivers, dally wagers, plumbers and unemployed youth.
Bank accounts were opened in the name of these dummy firms, the official further stated.
These firms were used to show the purchase of iron and steel goods worth Rs 603 crore and sale of Rs 743 crore without tax payment, he added.