The Fergana Province Tax Department has uncovered a scheme to fraudulently obtain cashback payments by generating an artificial value-added tax of 125.4 billion som (roughly $10.5 million).
According to the department, an operational analysis aimed at combating the shadow economy revealed that a citizen identified as T.Z. had set up two companies in Fergana—E.F.F. and F.E.O.Z.
In May, these companies issued electronic invoices claiming to have purchased flour and butter worth a combined 1.2 trillion som from another company, T.B.S.E., registered in the city of Termez in Surkhandarya province.
Tax officials analyzed the companies' VAT reports for May, submitted in June, and checked whether the corresponding goods were actually present in warehouses at the companies' registered legal addresses.
The investigation found that no goods had actually been delivered to the Fergana-based companies, and no payment had been made for the supposed products. According to the tax department, the Termez-based company had attempted to generate 125.4 billion som in artificial VAT on behalf of the two Fergana companies.
Following the operation, the VAT payer certificates of both companies were temporarily suspended, revised VAT reports were obtained from them, and the artificially generated tax of 125.4 billion som was removed from the books.
Tax officials said the scheme had been set up to sell fake fiscal receipts through social media, enabling people to fraudulently claim cashback on them.
Materials on the case have been handed over to law enforcement for further legal action.
The Fergana Province Tax Department reminded the public that the Soliq mobile app should only be used to register fiscal receipts for goods and services actually purchased or received by the user. Registering fake receipts obtained through social media or from other individuals is illegal and may result in legal liability.
Earlier, in Andijan province, authorities uncovered the embezzlement of 35.1 billion som in budget funds paid out as cashback through the Soliq Mobile app. According to investigators, the suspects registered nine companies under the names of three individuals and drew up fraudulent documents for goods deliveries worth 1.1 trillion som.
In Fergana province, a group suspected of forging electronic invoices was also exposed. Investigators say the group issued receipts on behalf of seven shell companies and used the Soliq app to pocket 3.2 billion som in budget funds through fraudulent cashback claims.
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