🚨 Businesswoman Arrested in ₹100 Crore GST Fraud Using 27 Shell Companies | DGGI Crackdown in Odisha
Rourkela, Odisha – In a major breakthrough, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Bhubaneswar Zone has uncovered a massive GST input tax credit (ITC) fraud exceeding ₹100 crore. A businesswoman from Rourkela has been arrested for orchestrating a fake invoicing network involving 27 shell firms operating across states.
🔍 Key Highlights:
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💸 Fraud Amount: ₹100+ crore fake GST ITC claims
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🏢 Fake Firms: 27 shell entities created using forged identities
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📍 Location: Rourkela & Cuttack (Odisha), extended to other states
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🚨 Arrest: Rourkela-based businesswoman as key mastermind
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📑 Evidence Seized: Fake company seals, documents, mobiles, benami links
🕵️♂️ How the Fraud Was Busted:
The DGGI launched its investigation during an inspection of a Cuttack-based firm. Clues from the raid led officials to conduct a search operation at the accused’s residence in Rourkela, where they unearthed critical evidence, including:
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Fake seals of companies
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Multiple mobile phones
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Documents tied to benami entities
⚖️ Fake Firm in Lawyer’s Name Sparked Deeper Probe
The case took a serious turn when officials discovered that one of the fake firms was fraudulently registered in the name of a Cuttack-based lawyer, who denied any involvement. This prompted a deeper forensic probe, revealing a network of shell companies created using forged KYC documents and dummy identities.
💰 Bogus Transactions Worth ₹85 Crore
Initial analysis shows that the accused conducted no actual business but used the fake GST numbers to issue fraudulent invoices across states. The transactions routed through these shell companies are estimated to be worth over ₹85 crore, with the total fraudulent claim surpassing ₹100 crore.
🧾 Official Statement
“The accused was the mastermind behind a well-structured fake invoicing racket and has been arrested. The value of fraudulent transactions exceeds ₹100 crore,” — DGGI Statement
🔄 Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are now tracing the extended network of these fake firms and their beneficiaries. Several other individuals and companies could soon be brought under scrutiny. The case adds to the alarming rise in GST frauds involving fake invoicing and shell entities in India.
🚨 Conclusion
This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger compliance, real-time GST monitoring, and stricter verification protocols to prevent tax evasion and protect public revenue.
