Top HMRC Tax Investigation Lawyers at UK London-based criminal fraud and POCA specialist Law Firm Bark & Co Solicitors Chosen to Represent Client charged in relation to Alleged Alcohol Diversion Operated on a massive scale in a conspiracy to cheat HMRC of public revenue
Operation Centrum
We acted for this individual as one of ten individuals charged in relation to an alleged alcohol diversion fraud operated on a massive scale in 2009 and 2010.
It was claimed that alcohol was purchased free of duty from bonded warehouses in France on false representations as to its onward transfer, and was diverted to the UK under cover of paperwork purporting to show it was being sent to a UK bonded warehouse.
If HMRC showed an interest in a particular consignment, it would be sent to such a warehouse and false documentation as to its origin produced; if not, it would be diverted to a cash and carry.
A false paperwork chain was allegedly created to make it look like the alcohol had been supplied UK duty paid, either directly by a missing trader or via a buffer company, and the use of such traders was also part of the commission of an alleged VAT fraud.
Our client is the owner of a Belgian registered company whose name was said to have been used as the UK customer in relation to illicit loads of alcohol. He was one of nine charged with conspiracy to cheat HMRC of public revenue, with the excise duty evaded estimated to be at least £15.5m. Our client was also one of seven charged with VAT fraud, with the VAT evaded being over £1m.
Our client pleaded guilty in January 2023, and we now continue to represent him in relation to the Proceeds of Crime (POCA ) freezing Order which follow the conviction.
