Oppo: Oppo Mobiles India’s finance manager face charges for ITC fraud of Rs 19 crore – Times of India

After Xiaomi and Vivo, another Chinese smartphone-making company is in a tussle with the Indian government. A senior official of Oppo Mobiles India Private Limited has been arrested by the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Commissionerate of Mumbai Zone. The manager of the Finance and Accounts division of Oppo Mobiles India, Mahendra Kumar Rawat, was arrested in Maharashtra’s Thane district for allegedly fraudulently availing input tax credit (ITC) worth Rs 19 crore through fake invoices. The Oppo official was arrested in Bhiwandi town and later produced in a local court. According to a report by ETTelecom, the CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate has said in a statement that the local court has remanded Rawat in judicial custody till April 3.
Why was he arrested
Rawat was arrested based on the material evidence gathered during the investigation. He was held under section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of section 132 of the same act.
The investigation was carried out by the anti-evasion wing of the CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate. The statement added that the investigation has revealed that Oppo Maharashtra was involved in availing of fake ITC without receipt of any goods.
More details about the Oppo official row
The statement also added that “the supplier of Oppo Mobiles India Pvt ltd, M/S Gain Hero India Private Limited, was found to be non-existent at its principal place of business. In this connection, 16 e-way bills for the said transaction were verified and found to be fake. Further, statements of the transporters and vehicle owner were recorded, wherein it was revealed that there was no supply of goods to Oppo Maharashtra.”

As per the statement, Rawat, who is an authorised signatory and the manager of Finance and Accounts of Oppo Mobiles India is the main person who has played a key role in availing of the said fraudulent ITC. The statement also claimed that the fraud amounted 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.
Guilty as charged
In his statement, the accused has also admitted that the e-way bills generated are fake, the CGST Commissionerate noted. The CGST Mumbai Zone launched a special drive against tax fraudsters and tax evaders. This case is also a part of the campaign. In the last 18 months, CGST Bhiwandi Commissionerate has arrested 24 persons, added Sumit Kumar, commissioner, Central GST Bhiwandi.