A shocking nationwide scam involving the illegal sale of sensitive GST data of traders has come to light, with Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida emerging as operational hubs of a data racket allegedly run by a gang named 'Data Solution'. The racket is thriving on the black-market sale of confidential taxpayer data such as GSTR-1, GSTR-2B, GSTR-3B and e-Way Bills-raising serious concerns over data security within the GST system.
The expose, first flagged by the Surat Chartered Accountants Association (CAAS), has triggered alarm in trade and tax circles. In a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, CAAS revealed that the gang has been offering traders' GST data in packages-basic GSTR-1 details priced at Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000, while bundled data, including 2B, 3B and e-Way Bills, is being sold at Rs 15,000 for a three-month package.
What makes the racket more concerning is its organised nature. Far from being run in secrecy, these data brokers operate from office-like premises, presenting themselves as professional firms offering "data packages" tailored to client needs. Depending on the depth of information, rates range from Rs 5,000 for entry-level data to Rs 25,000 for comprehensive profiles, including transaction history, HSN codes and e-Way Bills.
The scam gained further traction after a leaked WhatsApp conversation between a broker and a trader went viral. The chat revealed discussions about "normal domestic data" and enhanced bundles-highlighting the scale and sophistication of the data trafficking.
CAAS President CA Hardik Kakadia, while speaking to the media, said, "This is a thriving black market. Confidential GST data is being sold openly like vegetables in a bazaar. It exposes complete sales and supply chains of businesses, giving competitors a direct advantage."
He added, "Three-month and six-month data bundles are being sold to businessmen looking to replicate the operations of competitors. This is more than just a data breach-it is a direct attack on fair trade and market ethics."
The association warned that such data leaks could destroy business ecosystems by enabling unscrupulous entities to clone operations and undercut genuine traders. "This is equivalent to handing over your business strategy to rivals before a product launch," Kakadia said.
CAAS has called on both the Gujarat and Central Governments to act swiftly. "We don't want token gestures-we want a solid investigation, arrests, and urgent plugging of these data leaks," the letter to the Finance Minister stated.
Sources within CAAS also pointed out a disturbing new trend where aspiring traders are purchasing GST data to analyze competitors' financial footprints before entering a market.
"The GST system was designed to simplify taxation, not compromise businesses. If such leaks continue, the integrity of the entire GST framework will be at risk," Kakadia warned.
The incident has reignited concerns around data protection protocols within government systems and calls for an immediate audit of the GST network's cybersecurity infrastructure. As pressure mounts on the Ministry of Finance and the GSTN to respond, the trading community awaits concrete action to safeguard their data and restore trust in the system.
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