Local men among 15 arrested in suspected £30m VAT fraud investigation

SOME 15 men have been arrested in raids across the country as part of an investigation into a suspected £30m VAT fraud linked to the electronic communications industry.

One man was arrested in Birmingham and another in Stoke-on-Trent.
 
Officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) made the arrests during raids yesterday morning in Birmingham, Stoke, London, Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle upon Tyne, Derby, Manchester and Scunthorpe.  Raids were also carried out in Cyprus at the same time.
 
Around 240 HMRC officers searched 24 residential and business premises in the UK and seized business accounts and computers.
 
Paul Barton, assistant director criminal investigation, HMRC, said: “We are investigating what we believe to be a large-scale, organised VAT fraud extending across the UK and abroad. The operation today sends out a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those suspected to be involved in tax fraud.”

All 15 men are being interviewed.