A Mildura man was recently sentenced in the County Court of Victoria to seven-and-a-half years in prison after obtaining more than $830,000 in fraudulent GST refunds.

The man had recently been released from custody when he lodged false business activity statements, dishonestly obtaining $834,437 in GST refunds.

Under Operation Protego, which was initiated in response to widespread GST fraud activity, the ATO has taken action against more than 56,000 individuals.