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15/12/2010
Arrests In Disability Car Scam Probe
Two men, one in his mid 30s from Warwickshire and the other in his early 20s from Greater Manchester, have been arrested on suspicion of abusing a VAT Scheme that allows individuals to use their disability status to purchase vehicles VAT free.
It is suspected that over £450,000 of VAT has been stolen through abuse of the motor vehicle scheme.
The operation by Criminal Investigators from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), supported by Police forces across the region, included one arrest and house search in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and one arrest and house search in Stockport.
Adrian Farley, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: "The arrests are a result of many months of investigation to unravel what is believed to be a major fraud, targeting a scheme designed to help and improve the mobility and lifestyles of people with disabilities.
"We have worked in partnership and been closely supported by police forces in Warwickshire, West Mercia, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
"One of our key priorities is to identify the abuse of our tax systems to stop criminals stealing vast amounts of public money for their own gain and to bring those responsible before the courts."
It is believed that high value vehicles worth £3.3m, including Range Rovers, Land Rovers, BMWs, Audis and a Porsche, have been purchased VAT free through the scheme, which were not for personal use.
It is alleged they would then be sold on without any adaptations to car dealerships in the UK and/or exported to Ireland and Amsterdam.
The defendants were arrested on suspicion of VAT evasion, associated money laundering, and false representation offences. They are currently being questioned by HMRC criminal investigators.
(BMcN/BMcC)
It is suspected that over £450,000 of VAT has been stolen through abuse of the motor vehicle scheme.
The operation by Criminal Investigators from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), supported by Police forces across the region, included one arrest and house search in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and one arrest and house search in Stockport.
Adrian Farley, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: "The arrests are a result of many months of investigation to unravel what is believed to be a major fraud, targeting a scheme designed to help and improve the mobility and lifestyles of people with disabilities.
"We have worked in partnership and been closely supported by police forces in Warwickshire, West Mercia, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
"One of our key priorities is to identify the abuse of our tax systems to stop criminals stealing vast amounts of public money for their own gain and to bring those responsible before the courts."
It is believed that high value vehicles worth £3.3m, including Range Rovers, Land Rovers, BMWs, Audis and a Porsche, have been purchased VAT free through the scheme, which were not for personal use.
It is alleged they would then be sold on without any adaptations to car dealerships in the UK and/or exported to Ireland and Amsterdam.
The defendants were arrested on suspicion of VAT evasion, associated money laundering, and false representation offences. They are currently being questioned by HMRC criminal investigators.
(BMcN/BMcC)
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