Created Forged Tax Payment ReportsSurat
Surat: A textile trader has accused a tax consultant couple of cheating him of Rs 98 lakh by allegedly siphoning off money entrusted to them for payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Central Sales Tax (CST) while submitting forged tax payment documents to conceal the fraud.The Salabatpura police have registered a case of cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy against the couple, who operated a tax consultancy office in Supertex Tower.According to the complaint, the consultants werehandling the trader’s firm ‘s tax matters since 1999, including VAT and CST compliance.Police said that in 2012-13, the male consultant allegedly convinced the trader to allow him to make tax payments directly on his behalf, claiming it would save time. The trader handed over his VAT login credentials, following which the couple began collecting money for tax payments. They allegedly sent VAT and CST challans and payment reports, leading the trader to believe that the taxes had been duly deposited with the govt.Between 2014-15 and 2017-18, the trader transferred around Rs 98 lakh to the couple for payment of VAT and CST. After the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), he discontinued their services.The alleged fraud surfaced in May 2024, when the trader’s bank account was frozen. On inquiry, he discovered that taxes amounting to Rs 98 lakh were never deposited with the govt. Authorities informed him that, along with interest, his outstanding tax liability had risen to Rs 3.28 crore, resulting in the attachment of his bank account.Further verification allegedly revealed that the couple had diverted the money for personal use instead of depositing it with the govt and had fabricated tax payment documents to mislead the trader.
