A Staffordshire-based electrician jailed for embezzling over £372,000 in fraudulent VAT repayment claims has been told he will face an extra two years in jail if he doesn’t pay the money back.
Ross Elliott was sentenced to three years in prison in January 2013 after he admitted making hundreds of false invoices to reclaim VAT for work he had never done over a two-and-a-half year period.
Elliott, 35, from Werrington was investigated after several high profile house builders had claimed to have never even heard of him.
He has now been ordered to repay over £100,000 within six months or serve an extra two years in prison.
The court concluded that Elliott had benefited to the tune of £413,338 from his fraudulent and the balance could be redeemed in future if he is found to have other assets.
Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “Elliott stole this substantial sum of money purely to line his own pockets.
“His abuse of the VAT repayment system was carried out over a sustained period of time and involved a high degree of planning.
“Today’s hearing will serve as a stern reminder that action does not stop with a prison sentence.
“We will pursue every avenue to ensure money stolen is reclaimed for the taxpayer and public finances.”
Evidence collected during the HMRC investigation proved that Elliott had little if any lawful trade since 2007.
VAT Investigations into business are serious and if under investigation by HMRC you should appoint a VAT Investigation expert.
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