The Australian Federal Police (AFP), the ATO and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on Tue 12.11.2013, issued a warning against participating in recent taxation fraud schemes.
The warning comes after the agencies recently disrupted an organised criminal syndicate allegedly stealing information and creating fictitious payment summaries to obtain fraudulent refunds. Five offenders allegedly involved in the syndicate will appear in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Tue 12.11.2013, the AFP said. The AFP said evidence also suggests individuals are allegedly being recruited to lodge the fraudulent income tax returns with tax agents and collect the refunds once issued by the ATO.
“We encourage people to protect their personal tax information, particularly their Tax File Number, and think carefully when quoting it online,” ATO Deputy Commissioner Greg Williams said.
The AFP said the manipulation of identity documents and information is of particular concern and a person who participates in identity crime will not only be considered for criminal prosecution but may also have their visa status reassessed based on character considerations.
Source: AFP joint media release with the ATO and Dept of Immigration, 12 November 2013
[LTN 219, 12/11/13]