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The ATO continues to pursue and prosecute perpetrators of GST fraud under Operation Protego, with a further three people sentenced in May.
3 Queenslanders sentenced to jail for GST fraud
28 May 2025
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9 minute read
A further three people have been sentenced this month for lodging fraudulent GST returns following investigations by Operation Protego, according to a recent statement by the ATO.
Queensland woman Tiarn Payten Nutley was sentenced in Beenleigh District Court to nine months in jail for dishonestly obtaining a gain of nearly $50,000 and attempting to obtain a further $25,000.
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Nutley was released immediately on a recognisance release order of $2,000, and is required to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
The ATO said she had used an existing ABN to claim GST refunds for a fake beauty and salon services business. Nutley shared her myGov log in with two friends, who arranged to lodge six false business activity statements (BAS) in her name.
Queensland woman Skye Anne Hoek, whose friend, Nutley, was also sentenced, participated in GST fraud by registering her ABN for GST and lodging two BASs, which contained false information.
As a result of the deception, the ATO said Hoek received over $25,000 in refunds. She was charged with one offence contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) and sentenced to 3 months' jail in Southport Magistrates Court without a recognisance release order.
Another man, Gregory Pimm, lodged 37 BASs for a fake road freight transport business that he claimed to run from his home.
This resulted in him fraudulently obtaining over $165,000 in GST refunds and attempting to obtain a further $300,000.
In each case, Pimm falsely reported total sales, GST collected on sales, GST on purchases made for the business and GST credits the ATO owed him.
He was sentenced in Beenleigh District Court for two offences contrary to section 134.2(1) and sections 134.2(1) and 11.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) of obtaining and attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception.
He was sentenced to two years and six months in jail, to be released on recognisance of $500 after serving six months' imprisonment. As a condition of the recognisance, he is also required to be of good behaviour for three years and subject to the supervision of a probation officer for 2 years.
These matters were prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.
The Tax Office said while these types of GST fraud patterns have now been contained, the ATO continues to detect and disrupt significant volumes of attempted fraud right across the tax, superannuation and registry systems.
Acting ATO deputy commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce chief Kath Anderson said ATO strategies have driven a continuous reduction in these fraud attempts, but there was still more to do.
"Under the ATO’s Counter Fraud Program, we will continue to grow the capability and tools we need to respond to fraud in an agile and sophisticated way, collecting data and information to prevent, detect and address fraud in close to real time," she said.
Anderson said these latest prosecutions sent a strong reminder that the ATO brings those who commit fraud to account.
"Deliberate non-compliance has consequences. The ATO will actively pursue debts obtained through fraudulent GST funds, using all the tools at our disposal to recoup those funds," Anderson said.
"Those who seek to defraud the tax and super systems will get caught and face the full force of the law."
Anderson warned fraudsters that the ATO was equipped with resources, sophisticated data matching, analytics capability and intelligence sharing relationships.
"If you think you won’t be caught, think again," she said.
"These individuals face long-term consequences. Not only do they need to repay the money, but they will have a criminal record, which may affect their ability to secure employment, obtain finance or insurance and travel overseas.
"Engaging in GST fraud rips off your own community by stealing funds that would go to essential services, like health and education."
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