A cybercrime involving a significant loss of government revenue has been exposed, with a gang of cybercriminals illegally using the dormant account of a retired armed forces personnel to make fictitious supplies worth Rs. 1.625 trillion. This fraudulent activity resulted in a sales tax loss of Rs. 292.549 billion and further tax of Rs. 235.340 billion.
FTO’s investigation revealed that the cybercriminals, with the alleged support of insiders at PRAL and FBR, exploited vulnerabilities in the system to carry out this fraudulent scheme. They targeted dormant accounts of taxpayers and manipulated the system to generate fake sales tax returns.
FTO has called for strict action against those responsible for the cyberattack and has urged FBR to implement robust cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident highlights the need for enhanced security protocols to protect taxpayer data and safeguard government revenue.
FTO has also emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of such cybercrimes, including the need for greater oversight and accountability within the tax administration system. By strengthening cybersecurity measures and improving internal controls, the FBR can help to prevent future cyberattacks and protect the integrity of the tax system.
