Fraudulent Southall eBay Trader Caught

Made over fifty thousand pounds by false VAT claims

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An Ealing hair products trader who stole £51,000 by filing false VAT repayment claims, has been given a suspended sentence and will have to pay back the money.

Tomasz Piekarski, 50, from Wharncliffe Drive, Southall, sold shampoo and conditioner through eBay and also exported to wholesalers in Poland.

During checks of his business records, HMRC officers found he had submitted 31 false invoices to reclaim VAT on thousands of hair products that he never bought.

When challenged he tried to declare his business was making a loss even though his bank accounts and his lifestyle did not support this claim.

John Cooper, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:

“Piekarski thought he could get away with stealing from the taxpayer and the UK economy without any consequences but he was wrong. We will seek out and tackle this form of criminality and will take appropriate action though the courts whenever we can.

“We encourage anyone with information regarding suspected tax fraud to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Piekarski carried out the fraud over four years from March 2009 to March 2013.

He was sentenced to sixteen months in prison, suspended for 2 years, when he appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on 1 December. A Confiscation Order was also granted for £51,135.69 which he will have to pay back.

 

December 3rd 2015

 

 

 

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