DGGI busts Rs 593 crore fake invoice fraud; mastermind arrested in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): In a major crackdown on GST fraud, the Belagavi zonal unit of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has unearthed a fake input tax credit racket worth approximately Rs 593 crore, officials said.
The action followed an investigation into a suspicious GST registration, which led to multiple searches on premises linked to Star Tax Consultant in Bengaluru, the DGGI said in a statement.
"The searches exposed a well-organised network engaged in issuing fake invoices without any actual supply of goods or services, enabling wrongful availment and passing on of input tax credit (ITC) amounting to nearly Rs 235 crore," the statement said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that numerous GST registrations were being operated by the accused solely for generating bogus invoices and e-way bills to facilitate fraudulent ITC claims by the ultimate beneficiaries.
The accused systematically used online accounting software to record and monitor transactions routed through several shell entities with no genuine business activity.
The statement said that Mohammad Saifullah, a registered GST practitioner identified as the mastermind of the operation, was found to be actively managing multiple non-existent and shell GSTINs and orchestrating the issuance of fake invoices and e-way bills in exchange for commission calculated as a percentage of invoice value.
"On being confronted with incriminating evidence, he admitted to his role in the fraudulent scheme. Saifullah was arrested on February 24 in Bengaluru under Section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017," the statement said.
Saifullah was produced before a special court for economic offences in Bengaluru, which granted transit remand for his transfer to Belagavi.
He was subsequently presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class-4 court in Belagavi, which remanded him to judicial custody.
A probe is underway to identify the additional beneficiaries and quantify the full extent of the fraud, the DGGI said.
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Bearys education announces ‘campus connect & talent hunt 2026,' offers up to 100% scholarships
Mangaluru: Bearys Education has announced the launch of its “Campus Connect & Talent Hunt 2026,” scheduled to be held on April 11 at the Bearys Knowledge Campus near Mangalore University in Innoli.
The initiative, aimed at promoting academic excellence and student empowerment, will offer scholarships of up to 100 percent on tuition fees for meritorious candidates.
The programme seeks to identify and support students aspiring to pursue Pre-University Course (PUC), degree, engineering and architecture programmes.
The event is open to students from SSLC (Class 10), PUC (Class 12), Diploma and ITI streams, along with their parents. Organisers said the day-long programme will focus on guidance, engagement and opportunities for students planning their academic future.
A Talent Hunt Examination will be conducted on April 11 at 9.30 am, with eligibility extended to students completing SSLC and PUC in 2026. Based on their performance, candidates will be considered for scholarships of up to 100 per cent.
The event will also feature a career guidance and counselling session led by Ameen-E-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA. In addition, a technical and science expo showcasing student-led innovations, along with a food festival, will be organised as part of the programme.
Organisers stated that the initiative reflects the institution’s focus on quality education, personality development and integrity, while marking over 120 years of educational service.
Interested participants can register before April 8 by scanning the QR code provided in the official announcement (provided below) or by contacting 89704 96949, 81239 04351, or 99000 66888.
