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| Arrests made in VAT fraud probe | Arrests made in VAT fraud probe |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Customs officers have made 10 arrests across England and Wales in a £250m value added tax (VAT) fraud case. | Customs officers have made 10 arrests across England and Wales in a £250m value added tax (VAT) fraud case. |
| The arrests relate to "carousel fraud", where criminals import high value goods free of VAT, from other countries in the European Union. | The arrests relate to "carousel fraud", where criminals import high value goods free of VAT, from other countries in the European Union. |
| These goods are then sold in the UK with VAT charged, but the criminals disappear with the tax instead of handing it over to Revenue & Customs. | These goods are then sold in the UK with VAT charged, but the criminals disappear with the tax instead of handing it over to Revenue & Customs. |
| Further arrests are expected Revenue & Customs said. | Further arrests are expected Revenue & Customs said. |
| LOCATIONS WHERE ARRESTS WERE MADE LondonNewportNuneatonUttoxeterBeaconsfieldBedworthCoventryBowdenSource: Revenue & Customs Arrests were made in the capital, south of England, south Wales and the midlands. | |
| European arrest warrants have been issued in France and Spain against four people. | European arrest warrants have been issued in France and Spain against four people. |
| The ten men are currently being held in London police stations in connection with the sale of large quantities of mobile phones. | The ten men are currently being held in London police stations in connection with the sale of large quantities of mobile phones. |
| Ongoing investigation | Ongoing investigation |
| The arrests are part of an ongoing five year investigation into VAT fraud. | The arrests are part of an ongoing five year investigation into VAT fraud. |
| In July 2003, 350 officers raided 93 premises across the UK and Spain, and made 42 arrests. | In July 2003, 350 officers raided 93 premises across the UK and Spain, and made 42 arrests. |
| "We have a duty to protect the revenue given the scale and nature of the attack we are seeing," Euan Stewart, deputy director of criminal investigation for Revenue & Customs. | "We have a duty to protect the revenue given the scale and nature of the attack we are seeing," Euan Stewart, deputy director of criminal investigation for Revenue & Customs. |
| "Today's arrests follow years of painstaking effort by dedicated officers. | "Today's arrests follow years of painstaking effort by dedicated officers. |
| "The sophistication of the organised crime gangs behind these frauds means that our investigations are increasingly complex," Mr Stewart said. | "The sophistication of the organised crime gangs behind these frauds means that our investigations are increasingly complex," Mr Stewart said. |