Chainsaw gang members arrested

A MAN was arrested today after dawn raids on two properties at Warrington in connection with the theft of nearly £300,000 in a VAT repayment fraud linked to the chainsaw industry.
The operation by criminal investigators from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), supported by local police forces, also targeted individuals and addresses in North Staffordshire.
Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said:
“Today’s arrests are a result of many months of investigation to unravel what is believed to be a major fraud.
“One of our key priorities is to identify the abuse of our tax systems by organised criminal gangs stealing vast amounts of public money for their own gain. Working closely with other law enforcement agencies we will unravel cases of complex fraud and bring those responsible before the courts.”
Six properties were searched – two in Warrington and four in Stoke-on-Trent. Paperwork including bank accounts and computers were seized along with a firearm and ammunition.
Two men were arrested in Stoke and one in Warrington.
All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cheat the Revenue and money laundering offences under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and are currently being questioned by HMRC criminal investigators at police stations.
The suspects are believed to be part of an organised criminal gang purporting to trade in chainsaws in a version of “missing trader” fraud. This sees the creation of a contrived chain of companies, which reclaim VAT they have never actually paid on the sale of equipment in the UK and when the goods are exported.