A golden fleecing: the mystery of the missing millions

The gold flowed from cities across the nation, often collected in furtive deals around Brisbane’s city centre and transported in suitcases and car boots. Hundreds of kilograms were changing hands every week, so much so that questions had to be asked.

It would take more than a dozen raids in two states before investigators with the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission, and the Australian Tax Office stopped this river of allegedly illicit gold, uncovering what is believed to be one of Australia’s largest organised tax frauds.

The ATO has estimated the elaborate scam cost taxpayers more than $65 million, but industry sources have put the final cost at potentially more than $200 million in faked and misappropriated GST payments.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/a-golden-fleecing-the-mystery-of-the-missing-millions-20140712-zt5mf.html#ixzz39PvyHZog

A golden fleecing: the mystery of the missing millions