Group jailed for £45 million VAT fraud

A six-year HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation has led to six men from Birmingham and one from Surrey being jailed for VAT fraud.

The group attempted to steal £45 million linked to the trade of mobile phones and CD Roms, but were caught out by HMRC.

Together, they will be receiving combined jail terms of 62.5 years and will have to repay £1.8 million of the money.

Richard Meadows, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said that the minority of people undertaking such crimes will not get away it.

He added: "We are determined that this money will be restored to the nation's finances and we are grateful for the help we have received from law enforcement authorities in Dubai and Hong Kong.

"This will send a very clear message to all criminals that you cannot hide from our actions to reclaim your criminal profits."

It comes after HMRC announced that it is looking into the credit files of 20,000 people in a programme that forms part of a tax evasion crackdown.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Date published 5 Dec 2012 | Last updated 5 Dec 2012