Mildura fraudster Lara Scarrott exposed for $35k GST scam, dodgy BAS claims unravelled in court

A Mildura fraudster concocted a sham hairdressing business to dupe the tax office out of more than $35,000 in fraudulent GST refunds.

Lara Scarrott leaving court after receiving a one month sentence, suspended for 12 months, for fleecing the ATO out of more than $35,000. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

A shameless Mildura fraudster pocketed more than $35,000 in dodgy GST refunds, using sham BAS statements to scam the tax office.

Lara Scarrott fronted Mildura Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to multiple charges, including dealing with proceeds of crime greater than $10,000 and multiple counts of failure to answer bail.

The court heard Scarrott registered a hairdressing business in August 2021, before lodging two BAS statements in December 2021 and January 2022 indicating she was due GST refunds from the tax office totalling $36,155.

That amount was deposited into Scarrott’s Bendigo Bank account linked to the businesses ATO account

An investigation by Mildura CIU found the amount claimed was unrealistic and would have meant she made more than $350,000 in business-related expenses in a three-month period.

When she was questioned by police, Scarrott claimed to have given her login credentials to an accountant friend who had helped her lodge the fraudulent documents.

Scarrott was given a one months sentence suspended for 12 months on the condition of good behaviour.

Scarrott’s lawyer, Hugh Middleton, said the friend his client mentioned to police as helping her was “ground zero” for similar offending in Mildura.

Mr Middleton claimed Scarrott had cleaned her life up in the last 12 months and credited it with her being diagnosed with ADHD.

“She is thinking clearly and rationally and has given clear instructions (since the diagnosis),” Mr Middleton said.

He also added Scarrott had been in contact with the ATO about repaying the money she had obtained from her crimes.

Magistrate Patrick Southey slammed Scarrott’s behaviour as calculated and fraudulent, but conceded she seemed to be on the improve, adding the offending occurred quite some time ago.

Scarrott was sentenced to one month behind bars, but immediately released on a recognisance release order which will last for 12 months.

“If you get into trouble in the next 12 months, you will go to jail, Ms Scarrott,” Magistrate Southey said.

Scarrott was also fined a total of $440 on the failure to answer bail charges.