CGST Commissionerate arrests Oppo Mobiles Finance Manager for ITC Fraud worth Rs.19 crore

Mahendra Kumar Rawat, an authorized signatory for the Chinese origin company M/s. Oppo Mobiles India Private Limited, was detained by the CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate for fraudulently claiming ITC worth Rs. 19 crore on fake invoices.

The officers of CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate in Mumbai Zone arrested Mr. Rawat today (22.03.23) and he will be in judicial custody till 03.04.23. Based on material evidence gathered during the investigation, he was arrested today under section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017

According to the investigation conducted by the CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate’s anti-evasion wing against M/s. Oppo Mobiles India Private Limited (GSTIN – 27AABCO9247K1ZZ), OPPO Maharashtra was involved in the use of a bogus ITC without having received any goods.

M/S Gain Hero India Private Limited, OPPO Mobiles India Pvt Ltd’s supplier, was discovered to be nonexistent at the company’s main office. In this regard, sixteen e-way bills related to the aforementioned transaction were examined and found to be fraudulent. Additionally, the transporters’ and the owner of the vehicle’s assertions that there was no supply of goods to OPPO Maharashtra were recorded.

Shri Mahendra Kumar Rawat, Authorized Signatory and Manager-Finance and Accounts of M/s. Oppo Mobiles India Private Limited, is the main key person who has played the key role in availing of the said fraudulent ITC amounting to Rs. 19,27,54,093/- against the invoices amounting to Rs. 107,08,56,072/- issued by Gain Hero India Private Limited, without receipt of the goods. The accused has admitted in his statement that the e-way bills generated are fake.

This case is a part of the special drive launched by the CGST Mumbai Zone against the tax fraudsters and tax evaders. According to Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Central GST Bhiwandi, the CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate has so far detained 24 people in the past 18 months alone.