Six arrested in Rochdale VAT probe

SIX people have been arrested in Rochdale suspected of involvement in an estimated £1m VAT fraud linked to the textile trade.

The three men, aged 26, 35 and 38, and three women, aged 29, 37 and 61, were arrested by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) criminal investigators during co-ordinated raids on seven commercial and domestic premises in the Rochdale area yesterday morning.

Mike O’Grady, HMRC Criminal Investigations, said: “HMRC criminal investigators have uncovered a suspected million pound VAT fraud. The fraud involved fake trading in textiles and associated machinery as part of a multi-cell conspiracy targetting the UK VAT repayment system.

HMRC said all six had been bailed until February while it carries out further enquiries into suspected VAT repayment fraud and associated money laundering.