In a major crackdown on financial fraud, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids across five states, uncovering a large-scale fake GST bill scam connected to the recent ticket sales for concerts by international band Coldplay and famous Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh. The raids are part of a broader investigation that has revealed fraudulent GST invoices amounting to between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 8,000 crore.
The investigation has uncovered irregularities in the sale of concert tickets, with authorities suspecting that these events were used as a front for generating fake GST invoices. The primary accused in the scam, Ashraf bhai Kalvadiya, and several accomplices have been booked for involvement in this extensive fraud scheme. Kalvadiya is believed to have orchestrated the issuance of fake invoices to evade taxes and launder money under the guise of legitimate ticket sales.
The ED’s swift actions underscore the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with tax regulations in the entertainment sector, a lucrative industry that has seen recent growth in large-scale events. The discovery of this scam raises severe concerns about the integrity of ticket sales for significant events, sparking debates about the need for greater scrutiny and tighter regulations.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the scam, with the possibility of more arrests and charges being filed against other individuals involved. The ED is expected to release further details as the case progresses and the probe expands into additional industries where similar fraudulent activities may occur.
