V AT Fraud
It is crucial to take legal advice as soon as possible if there is a possibility a fraud investigation will be launched or allegations of VAT fraud have been made.
VAT fraud investigations are extremely thoroughly investigated and can cause immense disruption to a business, and individuals, who are the subject of those investigations. These investigations may cause irreparable damage to reputations.
Essentially, the investigation and prosecution teams will be seeking for evidence in order to prove VAT fraud has taken place. This evidence may involve proving that a business has not paid enough VAT or has claimed too much, or even that accounts have been falsified to avoid a company’s true VAT liability.
Quite often, VAT fraud investigations cross jurisdictions, especially if Missing Trader Intra Community also known as MTIC fraud or carousel fraud is suspected. This can be where goods are imported into the UK without VAT and then re-sold back to the EU, with VAT being fraudulently claimed back from HMRC.
MTIC and carousel fraud cases are difficult to prove because a chain of supply may well be involved, this could make the electronic or paper trail too complex to be able to prove a deliberate falsifying of VAT or conspiracy to commit VAT fraud has taken place.
Belgravia Solicitors can advise you and liaise with agencies which may be involved in a fraud investigation, including the following:
- City of London Police
- Trading Standards
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- National Crime Agency (NCA)
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
At Belgravia Solicitors we robustly challenge the evidence presented, where necessary challenging the procedures undertaken to obtain the evidence, challenge the admissibility of the evidence and ensure the evidence, a VAT fraud investigation case is built upon, is not misinterpreted and fight your corner to give you the best chance of achieving the result you want from your case.
We will always ensure that the evidence is properly considered and will instruct appropriate experts on your behalf when evidence needs to be obtained, challenged, further examined, or excluded.
If you, your business / company, a family member / relative, or a friend are accused of VAT fraud, it is important to seek legal advice. Discussing your case with a specialist lawyer who understands VAT fraud at an early stage is essential to help understand what can be done to prepare a proper defence. We can be contacted on 03330 16 96 16 or on email: mail@belgraviasolicitors.co.uk