HMRC reveals top 10 tax fraud cases of 2017
By Tom Carnegie, 4 Jan 18
In its ongoing fight against tax evasion, HM Revenue & Customs has revealed its top ten tax fraud and organised crime cases of 2017. The list includes people with offshore accounts, a would-be spy, millionaires, accountants and data thieves. All cases came with large prison sentences.
Six men from the South East were jailed for a total of 45 years after persuading wealthy individuals to invest in largely fake environmental projects.
A ten year investigation revealed the scheme was nothing more than a £108m fraud, using a complex series of offshore banking and paper transactions.
The men, led by Cambridge-educated engineer Michael Richards, 55, from East Sussex, lured wealthy individuals to invest in largely fake environmental projects with the promise of a tax break.
The group used the investors’ money to fund their lavish lifestyles, buying properties around the world, expensive jewellery and enjoying luxury holidays.
