A man and a woman have been arrested after HMRC’s Taxpayer Protection Taskforce officers executed a search warrant last month, as part of an investigation into a suspected £3.4 million Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme fraud.
The individuals from West Yorkshire were both apprehended on 28 April 2021, on suspicion of cheating the public revenue, money laundering and VAT evasion.
Both individuals have been released under investigation however, HMRC have frozen more than £6 million in funds controlled by the pair.
HMRC Taxpayer Protection Taskforce’s director has said “The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is part of the collective national effort to protect jobs. The vast majority of employers will have used the CJRS responsibly, but we will not hesitate to act on reports of abuse of the scheme or any HMRC administered Covid-19 support packages.”
This investigation is one of many that is part of the government’s pledge to invest £100 million on a Taxpayer Protection Taskforce. The taskforce, run by HMRC, is dedicated to tackling fraud committed on any coronavirus support packages, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
HMRC has urged anyone who suspects their employer may be abusing any of the coronavirus support packages to report it to HMRC online or call 0800 788 887.
Subsequently, if you suspect you have falsely claimed under any of the coronavirus support packages, our experts can guide you through the process and make disclosures to HMRC on your behalf. We can also offer help and advice for your business to ensure you are meeting the requirements of the schemes and not committing any acts of fraud.
Contact us via our contact page, call us on 01704 891676 or email info@stseurope.co.uk
