Staffordshire arrests following VAT fraud raids
Investigations into a suspected multi-million pound VAT and money laundering fraud targeting the caravan and motor home industry have resulted in five arrests being made.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) searched nine premises yesterday morning – seven domestic and two commercial – and arrested four men from Staffordshire and one from Greater Manchester. The operation was codenamed "Quicksilver".
Gary Lampon, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said yesterday: "Tackling VAT fraud is one of our top priorities. Today's raids are the result of a lengthy investigation and those arrested are being taken to police stations in Staffordshire and Greater Manchester for questioning by our investigators.”
The men are believed to be part of an organised crime syndicate purporting to trade in large quantities of high value caravan accessories in a version of "missing trader" fraud.
This sees the creation of a contrived chain of companies and false paperwork for the sole purpose of reclaiming VAT, on the purchase of equipment in the UK, for goods allegedly then exported to the European Union. It is thought the goods never even existed.
Mobile phones, computers and quantities of business and financial paperwork have been seized.
