22/01/2004
Cash seized during UK-wide Customs raids
Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been seized today after Customs launched a series of raids in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland against traders suspected of fraudulent behaviour.
Dozens of officers took part in the operation and assets in excess of £320,000 in cash and property have now been seized as enquiries continued today.
This morning, investigators swooped on premises in Glasgow, Belfast and Crewe as part of a nationwide crackdown on what is know as 'Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud' (MTIC).
MTIC fraudsters create bogus companies, import goods VAT free, collect VAT on onward sales to customers and then disappear without accounting for the tax due, leaving the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds out of pocket.
Customs Head of Investigation Scotland Pete McGee said: "This operation highlights our intention to stop organised criminals who are involved in this type of fraud. It undermines legitimate business in the UK and the government is determined to crack down on those individuals and gangs who would seek to profit from their illegal activities."
(gmcg)
Dozens of officers took part in the operation and assets in excess of £320,000 in cash and property have now been seized as enquiries continued today.
This morning, investigators swooped on premises in Glasgow, Belfast and Crewe as part of a nationwide crackdown on what is know as 'Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud' (MTIC).
MTIC fraudsters create bogus companies, import goods VAT free, collect VAT on onward sales to customers and then disappear without accounting for the tax due, leaving the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds out of pocket.
Customs Head of Investigation Scotland Pete McGee said: "This operation highlights our intention to stop organised criminals who are involved in this type of fraud. It undermines legitimate business in the UK and the government is determined to crack down on those individuals and gangs who would seek to profit from their illegal activities."
(gmcg)
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The annual report from HM Customs and Excise has revealed that VAT losses have fallen from 15.8% to 12.9% in 2003/04. This has closed the "VAT gap", the theoretical difference between the possible yield from VAT and the actual receipts received, by nearly 3% and provided an additional £1.7bn of revenue to the exchequer.
£1.7bn recouped as UK 'VAT gap' decreases by 3%
The annual report from HM Customs and Excise has revealed that VAT losses have fallen from 15.8% to 12.9% in 2003/04. This has closed the "VAT gap", the theoretical difference between the possible yield from VAT and the actual receipts received, by nearly 3% and provided an additional £1.7bn of revenue to the exchequer.
27 August 2003
Customs makes headway in north Scotland crackdown
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Customs makes headway in north Scotland crackdown
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18 December 2007
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
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Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
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22 September 2004
Four detained after Customs swoops in Scotland
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Four detained after Customs swoops in Scotland
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Fake Goods Seized In West Yorkshire
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