Scam inside and outside Kerala: Three arrested for massive fraud by impersonating GST officials

PATHANAMTHITTA: A gang that was involved in fraud across the state by visiting establishments that had been raided by the GST department and whose licenses had been cancelled has been arrested. They were committing fraud by telling the establishment owners that they could pay the fine and arrears in instalments and that they could pay less.

Bijo Mathew (35) from Adoor; Emmanuel (42) from Chempazhanthi, Thiruvananthapuram; and Dennis Jacob (51) from Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram were arrested. The gang of three had gained trust by claiming to be acquainted with high-ranking officials and leaders and showing pictures with them.

When Bijo Mathew arrived at a bakery in Kozhenchery and introduced himself as a GST officer, the owner became suspicious. The owner informed the Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence in the GST Department. Bijo Mathew was the first to be arrested from a house during the investigation conducted by the Crime Branch.

89 lakhs were defrauded

The accused had defrauded a bakery owner in Pathanamthitta district of Rs 15 lakhs, a hospital owner of Rs 17 lakhs, a quarry owner of Rs 5 lakhs, a furniture shop owner of Rs 7 lakhs, and a company in Kanhangad of Rs 45 lakhs. It is also suspected that this gang had cheated many people within and outside the state. The accused were arrested by Sub-Inspector Arunkumar, Asst. Sub-Inspector Santosh and Senior Civil Police Officer Robby Isaac under the leadership of District Crime Branch DySP K.G. Aneesh.