BANGKOK, Thailand – Economic crimes police have arrested three people allegedly involved in a network that issued and sold fake tax invoices, costing the state an estimated 360 million baht in lost revenue, following a major operation targeting a scheme that had operated for approximately five years. Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai announced the outcome of operation “Anti Ghost Bill” at a press conference on Monday, revealing that at least 100 officers were deployed in raids on 10 targeted locations, including four in Bangkok, three in Nonthaburi, and one each in Nakhon Ratchasima, Samut Prakan, and Chaiyaphum provinces.

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The raided premises included residences and companies linked to individuals issuing fraudulent documents, companies allegedly buying and using the fake invoices, and accounting firms involved in the network, with most clients being petrol station operators and construction firms, according to investigators. One woman and two men were arrested on warrants issued by the Central Tax Court and face charges of jointly issuing tax invoices without legal authority, identified as 61-year-old Ratha, 50-year-old Khanaphot, and 33-year-old Pandecha, with police stating that the Revenue Department had earlier received information about a group of individuals and companies selling tax invoices without actual transactions involving goods or services.

Investigators revealed that Ratha, known as “Aor Ratha,” acted as the sales agent of the network, contacting potential customers through an online group that allowed only close networks and individuals, with an undercover officer having infiltrated the network and, after gaining members’ trust, negotiated for and purchased fake tax invoices on several occasions. The invoices were issued in the name of a company whose authorised director was the 33-year-old suspect Pandecha, with customers specifying the value they wanted on the invoice and payments transferred to a bank account belonging to Khanaphot, which was believed to act as a mule account for Ratha to conceal her identity.

ตำรวจ ปอศ. พร้อมเจ้าหน้าที่สรรพากร บุกเข้าตรวจค้นพื้นที่เป้าหมาย จับกุม กลุ่มขบวนการ ซื้อ-ขาย ปลอมใบกำกับภาษี เพื่อฉ้อโกงภาษีมูลค่าเพิ่ม ที่ทำให้รัฐเสียหายรัฐอย่างน้อย 360 ล้านบาท โดยสามารถจับกุมผู้ต้องหาได้ 3 คน และอยู่ระหว่างขยายผลถึงผู้ซื้อ ใบกำกับภาษีปลอม
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The gang used other people to mail the fake invoices through Thailand Post, with third-party names used on the envelopes, while Pandecha was found to also use an accounting firm to increase the company’s registered capital to 400 million baht and allegedly filed annual financial statements reporting revenue of 300 to 400 million baht over the five-year period in a bid to make the company appear credible. Investigators said they would expand the probe and take legal action against all companies involved, with the group’s illegal activities having caused damage to the country’s economic system and development totalling approximately 360 million baht.

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Authorities seized more than 200 items during the raids, including 105 sets of documents related to tax invoices, 12 files of input and output tax reports, 31 files of postal delivery records, 17 files of contracts, sales and money-transfer documents, 18 bank passbooks, 18 company stamps, 20 computers and other electronic devices, and 15 mobile phones. The arrests represent a significant blow to the fake invoice network, though police have indicated that further investigations are underway to identify and prosecute all parties involved in the fraudulent scheme.

-Thailand News (TN)