York woman on the ‘Most Wanted’ list for £1bn VAT fraud
A WOMAN from York has earned a place on the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list for laundering more than £1bn through many different companies.
Sarah Panitzke, 42, from Fulford near York reportedly was involved in a crime group involved in VAT fraud, with control of “many” company accounts which she maneuvered remotely via different IP addresses.
The NCA said she travelled extensively to Dubai, Spain and Andorra amongst others and that she was responsible for laundering approximately £1bn.
Panitzke was one of 18 who were involved in a “carousel” fraud, involving selling goods from one party to another. The seller is paid VAT by the purchaser but it is not passed on the the Treasury.
Panitzke, who is now listed as living in Barcelona in Spain, was disqualified from holding a director role in September 2013 at Kingston Crown Court.
She absconded in May 2013 prior to the end of the trial and was convicted to eight years in her absence in August 2013.
18 members of Panitzke’s crime group received sentences totalling 135 years.
Panitzke is described as 170cm tall, slim build with mousey straight hair, blue eyes and has a Yorkshire accent.
Steve Reynolds, head of international operations for the NCA, said: “The success of Captura demonstrates our relentless pursuit of fugitives. We never give up. Many of them use Spain as a base to continue illegal activities which still have an impact on the UK, but it is not a safe haven.
“The fugitives we are hunting are wanted for serious crimes and must be returned to the UK to face justice. We need the support of the public to help us catch them. Be our eyes and ears and tell us if you have any information on the whereabouts of our targets.”
