Arrests over million pound fraud

HM Revenue & Customs carry out dawn raids

husband and wife were arrested in dawn raids this morning (13 June 2012) by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigating suspected Corporation Tax fraud and associated money laundering offences. The alleged fraud is believed to have resulted in the theft of over £1.3 million from public finances.

Adrian Farley, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said:

"We are serious about identifying and tackling potential fraud at the earliest opportunity. Law abiding taxpayers and legitimate businesses can have every confidence we will act vigorously to detect and disrupt criminality and protect the UK economy from attack. We will pursue those responsible and bring them before the courts for justice to be served.”

Today's arrests were a 53 year old man and a 47 year old woman from Wolverhampton. One domestic property in Wolverhampton and four vehicles were searched along with eight business premises including:

• West Midlands - Wolverhampton x 1, Birmingham x 2
• Staffordshire - Stoke-on-Trent, x 1
• Shropshire - Newport x 2, Whitchurch x 1, Market Drayton x 1

Computers and business records were seized.

The couple are currently being questioned by HMRC criminal investigators under caution. They were arrested on alleged offences of Conspiracy to commit fraud contrary to the Fraud Act 2006, Cheating the Public Purse contrary to Common Law and associated money laundering activity contrary to of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

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