Joshua Merrett fronts court over fraudulent GST refunds
A crook blew nearly $395k he fraudulently obtained in false GST refunds on a degenerate gambling habit but he was brought undone when he went back for a second crack.
North West
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A gambling addict conned the ATO into paying him nearly $395,000 in false GST returns but was brought undone when he came back for a second crack.
Joshua Merrett, 31, of Taylors Lake, called on his good behaviour for a merciful sentence after pleading guilty in the County Court last week to one charge of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
He also admitted to charges of attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception and decline to provide access to his iPhone to police.
The court heard that ATO paid Merrett $394,801 based on 16 GST refund claims he made in June 2021 for his staircase and antique repair manufacturing business which existed in name only.
He made six calls and engaged via ATO webchat on 26 occasions to inquire about the status of his claims prior to the payment.
Merrett made a further 15 claims totalling $336,193 which was not approved.
His bank statements didn’t show any transactions consistent with running a business and the largest payments from his account was to online gambling.
The ATO made several requests to Merrett to substantiate his claims fro GST refunds but he failed to provide any information.
His lawyer David De Witt said what started as occasional trips to pokie venues with friends ended up with Merrett owing large sums of money.
He said Merrett’s older brother had a job waiting for him upon his release from prison and highlighted Merrett’s otherwise good character.
Prosecutor Michael Keks submitted jail was the most appropriate outcome, given the amounts of money Merrett dishonestly obtained and attempted to obtain.
He said Merrett refused to provide access to his phone to police which delayed the investigation.
Merrett is on bail and will return to court for further plea and sentencing on February 27 next year.
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