HMRC confirms stance on tax fraud

Date: 5th July 2010

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has fired a warning to anyone contemplating defrauding the UK's tax system.

The comments follow the sentencing of a Ukrainian crime gang who stole 4.5 million pounds of taxpayers' money through a fraud scam.

Members of the gang attempted to claim eight million pounds through fraudulent tax repayments but were foiled after HMRC officers searched several properties and found GBP360,000 in cash.

Peter Millroy, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: "HMRC takes fraud extremely seriously. In common with commercial financial organisations, we face attempts by individuals and organised criminals to steal from us and we have processes in place to detect and counter fraudulent repayments claims.

"We will not stop in our pursuit to bring those involved in this type of criminal activity before the courts and will work tirelessly to recover the proceeds of their crime for the public purse."

The gang used false passports to open 750 bank accounts to store the proceeds after making 1,600 bogus tax returns.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher