How a stolen identity led to ₹32.57 crore GST penalty
HYDERABAD: Aadhaar and PAN details of a Delhi-based private employee were allegedly used to create a company in his name in Madhapur, Hyderabad, and conduct transactions worth crores of rupees, leaving him facing a proposed ₹32.57 crore GST penalty.
The victim, Kartik Jain of East Patel Nagar in Delhi, approached the Cyberabad Economic Offences Wing (EOW) after receiving the penalty notice. Police registered a case based on his complaint.
Fraudsters allegedly used Aadhaar, PAN to create company
Jain discovered in 2024, while checking his Tax Information Statement (TIS), that a company had been registered in his name on the GST website.
The registration showed that an entity called Jain Enterprises had been set up in an apartment in Madhapur, Hyderabad. Shocked by the discovery, Jain complained to the principal commissioner of GST in Hyderabad.
He also approached the Patel Nagar police station in Delhi, alleging theft of his personal details, and lodged a complaint on the Income Tax Department’s website.
After an inquiry, GST officials cancelled the registration of the company. The cancellation took place in December 2024.
GST notice proposes ₹32.57 crore penalty
In June 2026, Jain unexpectedly received another letter from the GST department. The letter said a penalty of ₹32.57 crore had been proposed against him for alleged irregularities carried out in the name of GST.
Jain then approached the cybercrime police station in Delhi and sought action over the theft and misuse of his personal details.
He found that unidentified persons had used his PAN and Aadhaar details to register the business, while providing another phone number and email ID.
According to the registration details, the persons had also entered into a rental agreement with Aketi Saritha in 2023 and opened an office in Madhapur.
After realising that his personal details had allegedly been stolen and used for fraud, Jain approached the Cyberabad EOW with supporting documents. Police subsequently registered a case.
