17/09/2003

Two arrested over Co Derry multi-million pound trader fraud

Customs and Excise investigators arrested two people in Londonderry this morning in connection with a major 'missing trader' VAT fraud estimated at £2.3 million.

Officers involved in the early morning swoop searched business premises and homes in the North West of the province. Two men were arrested and are believed to be involved in a network of companies that 'carousel' large quantities of mobile phones, cameras and camcorders.

Carousel fraud is a highly complex operation where the criminal organisation establishes companies in the UK and on the continent to buy and sell high value goods without payment of VAT to the UK government. In this case it is believed that companies in Spain and Denmark were involved.

Customs' Head of Investigation Northern Ireland Jane Salt said: "Tackling Missing Trader fraud is Customs' top VAT fraud priority and we are having a measurable impact.

"It is in the interests of all legitimate businesses to prevent this type of fraud which distorts competition and forces honest traders out of business."

(gmcg)

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