Recycling firm board member arrested for 333 million baht tax fraud
Fraudulent operation uncovered as tax scam siphons millions from government funds
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) police have apprehended a board member of a recycling company suspected of collaborating with a business partner to issue fraudulent tax invoices. This operation led to state losses exceeding 333 million baht.
Yesterday, May 8, Police Major General Thatphum Charuphat, ECD commander, directed Police Colonel Narupon Karuna and Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannalop Rattanawong to arrest 46 year old Sarisa Raksinapapawi under an arrest warrant from the Pathum Thani Provincial Court, issued on September 4, 2024.
She faces charges for jointly issuing tax invoices without authorisation. She was detained in front of a residence in Mueang subdistrict, Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani province.
The investigation traces back to 2017 when ECD officers, in collaboration with the Revenue Department officials, inspected a company in Uttaradit province involved in the recycling industry. The inquiry was prompted by complaints accusing the company of tax fraud by procuring unauthorised tax invoices to request value-added tax refunds.
A thorough examination of the company’s purchase and sales tax documents revealed 1,012 tax invoices illegally issued without genuine transactions. Further scrutiny indicated that these invoices originated from a recycling trading company registered in Mueang subdistrict, Pathum Thani province, with Sarisa as the managing director.
She was responsible for signing and stamping the company’s official documents. Upon visiting the registered office, it was evident that no actual business was conducted there. The fraudulent activities of both companies resulted in state financial damages exceeding 333 million baht (US$10 million).
The ECD investigators consolidated evidence and obtained court warrants for those involved. Arresting officers discovered that Sarisa continued residing in Pathum Thani, leading to her eventual capture.
Despite her denial during questioning, officials remained sceptical and have handed her over to ECD investigators for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.
In similar news, a Thai steel firm is under intense scrutiny for allegedly issuing more than 7,000 fraudulent tax invoices in a scam exceeding 200 million baht, prompting a major criminal probe by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
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