Mobile phone dealers sent down for VAT plot

Date: 15th September 2008

Three men have been found guilty of attempting to steal £250 million from the tax-payer in a VAT plot.

The men were jailed this morning (September 15th) for an accumulated 19.5 years after being sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The trial followed a major investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into the men's activities, codenamed Operation Euripus.

Chris Pygall, deputy director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: "VAT fraud is a serious crime which diverts vital income from the UK's public services into the pockets of career criminals. HMRC will do everything in its power to stop this."

All three men were charged with Conspiracy to Cheat the Public Revenue after a series of off-shore bank accounts were discovered in Hong, Kong, Pakistan and Dubai.

More than 40 suspects were questioned and 100 homes searched during the investigation procedure of the charges.

HMRC added that it was to step-up its efforts into catching evaders of VAT and corporation tax.