Fact Check: This website offering promising GST refunds is fake; CBIC cautions people against such fake messages
The website shown in the viral post is fake. A dubious web link has been passed on in the name of the Central Government.
- By: Urvashi Kapoor
- Published: May 25, 2020 at 07:20 PM
- Updated: Aug 10, 2020 at 08:31 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News) A viral message on social media claims that the Central Government has introduced online processing of Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds due to the coronavirus outbreak. The message also prompts its readers to the link given in the message. Vishvas News investigated and found that the viral claim is fake. It is a dubious web link passed on in the name of the Central Government.
Claim
The viral post on social media reads: “Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Central Govt. Has Started Online Processing of GST Refund. Click on “http://Onlinefilingindia.in” to Claim Your Refund.”The archived version of the post can be checked here.
Investigation
Vishvas News checked the website given in the viral post
http://Onlinefilingindia.in..
We found that the official website for GST-related filings is “https://www.gst.gov.in/” and not “http://Onlinefilingindia.in”.
With the help of Whois tool we found that the website shown in the viral post was created on May 1, 2020 (24 days old as on May 25, 2020).
The website is inactive now.
Upon further investigation, we found a tweet by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), The tweet reads: “Taxpayers Beware !!! Please do not click on any fake link which promises to give refund. These are phishing messages and are not sent by CBIC or @Infosys_GSTN. Visit http://gst.gov.in for online filings related to GST #IndiaFightsCorona#StaySafe”
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Vishvas News spoke to Mr. Yogendra Garg, Principal Commissioner, GST Policy, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) regarding the viral post. He said: “The viral post is fake. It is a phishing website shown in the viral post. The official website is www.gst.gov.in. Any information on GST should be referred on the official website only.”
GST Council in the 39th meeting held on 14th March, 2020 at New Delhi took some decisions relating to changes in GST rates on supply of goods and services and refunds. The report can be seen here.
We scanned the profile of the user who shared the viral message. We found that the user named Ambuja Mohanty is based out of Bhubaneshwar.
Conclusion: The website shown in the viral post is fake. A dubious web link has been passed on in the name of the Central Government.
- Claim Review : Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Central Govt. Has Started Online Processing of GST Refund. Click on the given website
- Claimed By : FB User: Ambuja Mohanty
- Fact Check : False
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