Businessman Abel Kalpinand Prasad who committed a GST fraud and defrauded an international student with a fake visa has been jailed.
29-years-old Prasad pleaded guilty to four Commonwealth fraud charges.
In May this year, Prasad admitted to stealing $100,000 from the tax office. Adelaide Magistrate’s Court heard that he fraudulently claimed GST refunds worth $75,934 and attempted to claim a further $41,823 in tax refunds between 2010 and 2011.
He also admitted to defrauding an international student, Jaspal Marok of thousands of dollars by giving him a fake visa.
The court heard that Prasad faked the visa document when the Immigration Department refused to grant the visa, and told Jaspal Marok that his visa had been approved.
"Your purpose in providing those documents to was to retain the money he paid you. He is still out of pocket for the full amount,” Judge Julie McIntyre said.
Judge McIntyre said it was a serious offence against a vulnerable individual.
The court was told Prasad had a narcissistic personality disorder.
Judge McIntyre said the tax fraud was a serious offence.
"GST fraud is not a victimless crime. It is a crime against the Australian community because it reduces the funds available for essential services and it increases the tax burden on honest taxpayers," the Judge said.
Judge McIntyre sentenced Prasad to four years and five months jail with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months.
The remaining 18 charges against him were dropped under a plea bargain.
