The recently published list of the UK’s most wanted tax fugitives gives a highly misleading impression of the nature and extent of tax fraud. Broadly speaking, tax fraud in the UK can be classified into three categories, but only one of these categories is reflected in the published list.
A recent HMRC press release describes the 20 wanted people as ‘tax fugitives’ and ‘the UK’s biggest tax fraudsters’ before proceeding to give details of the ‘tax dodgers’ crimes’. A review of these crimes reveals that the allegedly criminal activity involves a form of VAT carousel fraud or excise duty in 19 of the cases which have been identified. A false tax repayment fraud thought to involve a gang in Russia or Lithuania constitutes the 20th case.
The list therefore reflects the continuing...
