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Scams steal £8.4bn from taxpayer Scams steal £8.4bn from taxpayer
(40 minutes later)
British taxpayers have lost a "catastrophic" £8.4bn to VAT fraudsters in 12 months, according to the results of a report obtained by Panorama.British taxpayers have lost a "catastrophic" £8.4bn to VAT fraudsters in 12 months, according to the results of a report obtained by Panorama.
The figures claim that the UK lost five times more money to VAT cheats than any other European Union (EU) country between June 2005 and June 2006.The figures claim that the UK lost five times more money to VAT cheats than any other European Union (EU) country between June 2005 and June 2006.
The estimates from a Belgian taskforce created to fight fraud are much higher than the last published UK estimates.The estimates from a Belgian taskforce created to fight fraud are much higher than the last published UK estimates.
Britain said it did not recognise the figures in the Belgian report.Britain said it did not recognise the figures in the Belgian report.
"We cannot comment on the substance of this report and we do not recognise the figures that are set out for the UK," a Treasury spokesman said."We cannot comment on the substance of this report and we do not recognise the figures that are set out for the UK," a Treasury spokesman said.
Information about Panorama programmesInformation about Panorama programmes
The government's own figures put VAT fraud losses at £1.9bn for 2004/05. Estimates for 2005/06 are not expected until the Chancellor's pre-Budget report is published later this year.The government's own figures put VAT fraud losses at £1.9bn for 2004/05. Estimates for 2005/06 are not expected until the Chancellor's pre-Budget report is published later this year.
Huge lossesHuge losses
The higher £8bn Belgian estimate is based on figures from Eurocanet - a project sponsored by the European Commission using figures from the police and other groups.The higher £8bn Belgian estimate is based on figures from Eurocanet - a project sponsored by the European Commission using figures from the police and other groups.
STOLEN VAT JUNE 2005/6 UK 12.6bn euros (£8.4bn)Spain 2.6bn euros (£1.7bn)Italy 2.3bn euros (£1.5bn)Germany 1.9bn euros (£1.3bn)France 1.5bn euros (£1bn) Source: EurocanetSTOLEN VAT JUNE 2005/6 UK 12.6bn euros (£8.4bn)Spain 2.6bn euros (£1.7bn)Italy 2.3bn euros (£1.5bn)Germany 1.9bn euros (£1.3bn)France 1.5bn euros (£1bn) Source: Eurocanet
"We estimate the loss to Britain to amount to 3.7bn euros with the 'Dubai Connection' adding some 8bn euros to this figure. It's clear there are very close commercial links between Britain and Dubai," said Herve Jamar, the Belgian Secretary of State responsible for VAT. "We estimate the loss to Britain to amount to 3.7bn euros with the 'Dubai Connection' adding some 8.5bn euros to this figure. It's clear there are very close commercial links between Britain and Dubai," said Herve Jamar, the Belgian Secretary of State responsible for VAT.
"Carousel fraud" involves the repeated import and export of small, high-value goods such as computer chips and mobile phones."Carousel fraud" involves the repeated import and export of small, high-value goods such as computer chips and mobile phones.
Under EU trading rules a UK company importing the goods does not have to pay VAT, instead it is charged to the British company that sells the goods on. The goods are then exported before being re-imported.Under EU trading rules a UK company importing the goods does not have to pay VAT, instead it is charged to the British company that sells the goods on. The goods are then exported before being re-imported.
Each time the goods go round the carousel, the VAT that should be paid to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) goes missing.Each time the goods go round the carousel, the VAT that should be paid to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) goes missing.
'Dubai Connection''Dubai Connection'
The fraud first emerged in the mid-1990s but has exploded in the UK over the past year as criminals exploit what legal authorities call the "Dubai Connection".The fraud first emerged in the mid-1990s but has exploded in the UK over the past year as criminals exploit what legal authorities call the "Dubai Connection".
This involves exporting the goods to Dubai before sending them back into Europe and round the carousel again.This involves exporting the goods to Dubai before sending them back into Europe and round the carousel again.
By exporting the goods to Dubai, the fraudsters break the evidential chain making the fraud harder to detect.By exporting the goods to Dubai, the fraudsters break the evidential chain making the fraud harder to detect.
WHAT IS CAROUSEL FRAUD? Small high-value goods, such as mobile phones, are imported free of VAT from EU countries and sold with 17.5% tax added in the UK. Instead of handing the VAT to the Government, the importing company run by criminals is shut down and the cash is kept by the importers. This loss of tax is often compounded when the new owners of the goods export them again and can legally reclaim the VAT they paid. Goods go round in a "carousel" via bogus supply chains within and beyond the EU because they are repeatedly imported and exported.By exporting the goods to Dubai, the fraudsters break the evidential chain making the fraud harder to detect.WHAT IS CAROUSEL FRAUD? Small high-value goods, such as mobile phones, are imported free of VAT from EU countries and sold with 17.5% tax added in the UK. Instead of handing the VAT to the Government, the importing company run by criminals is shut down and the cash is kept by the importers. This loss of tax is often compounded when the new owners of the goods export them again and can legally reclaim the VAT they paid. Goods go round in a "carousel" via bogus supply chains within and beyond the EU because they are repeatedly imported and exported.By exporting the goods to Dubai, the fraudsters break the evidential chain making the fraud harder to detect.
According to Eurocanet, almost three quarters of the tax stolen by the fraudsters in the UK between June 2005 and June 2006 involved carousel frauds using the 'Dubai Connection'.According to Eurocanet, almost three quarters of the tax stolen by the fraudsters in the UK between June 2005 and June 2006 involved carousel frauds using the 'Dubai Connection'.
However, the Treasury has vowed to tackle the problem through a "reverse charge" scheme, which will come into force in December.However, the Treasury has vowed to tackle the problem through a "reverse charge" scheme, which will come into force in December.
Under the new rules the last company to sell on goods like mobile phones - such as a retailer - will be responsible for paying the VAT.Under the new rules the last company to sell on goods like mobile phones - such as a retailer - will be responsible for paying the VAT.
"If it was implemented it would remove the mechanism for stealing VAT from about 95% of the goods traded in carousel frauds," Treasury Committee chairman John McFall told BBC News."If it was implemented it would remove the mechanism for stealing VAT from about 95% of the goods traded in carousel frauds," Treasury Committee chairman John McFall told BBC News.
"The government, I believe, has got space in the Finance Bill to include that reverse charge.""The government, I believe, has got space in the Finance Bill to include that reverse charge."
A Treasury spokesman said the government was working hard to tackle the problem "through a combination of legislation, litigation and operational activity", with 1,400 HMRC officers dedicated to the task.A Treasury spokesman said the government was working hard to tackle the problem "through a combination of legislation, litigation and operational activity", with 1,400 HMRC officers dedicated to the task.
Recently, the London offices of Transworld Payment Solutions were raided in an international operation against an offshore bank involved in VAT fraud.Recently, the London offices of Transworld Payment Solutions were raided in an international operation against an offshore bank involved in VAT fraud.
HMRC sources told the BBC that the move had led to a "significant" fall in the trade in fraud during July.HMRC sources told the BBC that the move had led to a "significant" fall in the trade in fraud during July.
  • This is a website update to a Panorama film first broadcast on July 16 2006 called Do You Want To Be A Millionaire which investigated "carousel fraud" and confronted one convicted criminal, "Riviera" Ray Woolley. He was hiding in Switzerland having escaped from prison by hailing a taxi.
  • This is a website update to a Panorama film first broadcast on July 16 2006 called Do You Want To Be A Millionaire which investigated "carousel fraud" and confronted one convicted criminal, "Riviera" Ray Woolley. He was hiding in Switzerland having escaped from prison by hailing a taxi.
    • Find out more about Ray Woolley and watch Do you want to be a millionaire?Find out more about Ray Woolley and watch Do you want to be a millionaire?
    Are you a victim of carousel fraud? You can tell us your stories and we may contact you for a future investigation if you give us your details. Any messages sent will not be published on the website.Are you a victim of carousel fraud? You can tell us your stories and we may contact you for a future investigation if you give us your details. Any messages sent will not be published on the website.
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