Man arrested in major HMRC operation

A 54-year-old male in Londonderry was among 13 men and one woman arrested following early morning operations in Northern Ireland and England by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigating a suspected £15 million money laundering, income tax and VAT fraud linked to the construction industry.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Mar 2012, 14:35 BST

In the largest operation of its kind ever undertaken in Northern Ireland, HMRC, supported by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), searched 31 business and residential properties in Belfast, Co Armagh, Co Antrim and Co Londonderry; 12 men and one woman were arrested. In co-ordinated activity in Stoke Newington, London one man was arrested after two businesses and one private address were raided by HMRC accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Police.

An organised crime gang is believed to have created a chain of companies, claiming to sub-contract labour for construction projects, with the intent of disappearing before any tax was paid.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Business records, cash and computer equipment were seized during the operation.

John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: “This investigation codenamed ‘Operation Concentric’ is targeting a suspected organised crime gang involved in sophisticated multi-million pound income tax and VAT frauds in the construction industry, and the associated laundering of the criminal profits.

“The frauds are believed to have resulted in the theft of millions of pounds of public revenue. Tax fraud and attempts to launder the proceeds of crime are key priorities for HMRC, and we will continue to work with our partners in the Organised Crime Task Force to pursue any individuals or crime gangs believed to be attacking the public purse in this way.”

The 14 were yesterday being interviewed by HMRC officers and investigations are continuing.