How IP address, phone number lifted veil off Rs 250cr GST fraud in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: A massive GST fraud was uncovered by the city commissionerate of central goods and services tax (CGST), leading to the arrest of a 27-year-old "company secretary" who allegedly orchestrated a scheme involving fraudulent invoices worth Rs 243 crore and illegal claims of input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 37.5 crore.
The investigation was initiated when GST officials noticed suspicious patterns of multiple billings from the same IP address in the city and OTPs being sent to a single mobile number for different companies that had their addresses in various locations of Mumbai.
The authorities analysed data using GST Prime — which helps administrators examine tax collections within their jurisdiction — and other electronic bill systems. They discovered a complex network of 12 fictitious firms that were registered under different proprietors and directors, but from a single IP address.
Officials said the fraudulent scheme began during the pandemic, when various companies were registered but kept dormant. These entities were activated two years later as part of a larger racket originating from Maharashtra. The mastermind allegedly received operational support from the "company secretary" in Gurgaon, who was given a dedicated mobile phone where the OTPs to claim tax credit landed.
