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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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16 December 2004
£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.
£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
A week-long Customs operation in north east Scotland has resulted in seizures of foodstuffs and fake goods at Aberdeen airport, cigarettes at Peterhead and vehicles running on 'red diesel' at Crimond stock car meeting.
Customs makes headway in north Scotland crackdown
A week-long Customs operation in north east Scotland has resulted in seizures of foodstuffs and fake goods at Aberdeen airport, cigarettes at Peterhead and vehicles running on 'red diesel' at Crimond stock car meeting.
18 December 2007
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
'Contraband' that went missing from a secure lock-up after being seized by customs officers has now turned out to be cocaine. Police were called in after 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of the drug went missing from a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) depot near to Coventry airport.
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
'Contraband' that went missing from a secure lock-up after being seized by customs officers has now turned out to be cocaine. Police were called in after 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of the drug went missing from a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) depot near to Coventry airport.
22 September 2004
Four detained after Customs swoops in Scotland
Four people have been detained following a number of swoops by Customs officers in Scotland today. Over 50 customs' officers supported by police searched a number of houses and business premises in Dundee, Glasgow, and Ayrshire in connection with alleged money laundering and VAT fraud.
Four detained after Customs swoops in Scotland
Four people have been detained following a number of swoops by Customs officers in Scotland today. Over 50 customs' officers supported by police searched a number of houses and business premises in Dundee, Glasgow, and Ayrshire in connection with alleged money laundering and VAT fraud.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
