Fifty HMRC officers were involved in dawn raids, which lead to 5 people being detained, potentially saving the taxpayer millions of pounds in fraudulent tax credit claims relating to fictitious children.
Seven addresses in Glasgow were searched under warrant with follow up visits to around 30 tax credit claimants’ addresses in Manchester, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Glasgow to verify details of claims.
In the multi-agency operation the five people were detained after officers from HMRC and Strathclyde Police raided seven addresses in the Govanhill area of Glasgow.
Those detained are believed to be part of an organised crime group involved in tax credits fraud using false addresses and employment details and claiming for a significant number of fictitious children.
The operation was a major effort by the partner agencies of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Task Force (SOCTF) involving over 50 HMRC criminal investigators and over 50 officers from Strathclyde Police.
HMRC Assistant Director of Investigation in Scotland, John Fitzcharles said:
"Today’s raids form part of an ongoing investigation of a large-scale tax credits fraud. These individuals have been detained on suspicion of attacking the tax credits system; a system which exists to help the most vulnerable in society.
“As organised crime evolves it brings with it new threats and different challenges for us to tackle. By working in partnership, to combine effective enforcement with ongoing public support, the agencies within Scotland’s SOCTF are tackling criminality to rid our society of the economic and human costs of organised crime.”
Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson said:
“This morning’s operation demonstrates Strathclyde Police Force’s commitment to working in partnership with other agencies in the fight against serious organised crime.
“All organised crime groups use violence and intimidation to protect their criminal assets, and this brings misery to our communities. Serious and Organised Crime is a very high priority for Strathclyde Police and we are working tirelessly with our partner agencies to crack down on these groups and protect communities.”
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to tax credit fraud should call the HMRC tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900.
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