A London man, convicted and jailed for seven years in 2007 for VAT evasion, has been ordered to repay over £5.3 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Harjit Singh Takkar (35) was given six months to pay £5,320,420 and told that failure to pay will result in a further sentence of ten years in jail.
Takkar was imprisoned at Guildford Crown Court on 27 September 2007 following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) into VAT ‘missing trader’ fraud.
Between May 2004 and August 2004 Takkar, trading as Hi-Profile Ltd, made purchases of mobile phones and computer chips from suppliers in France. These items did not attract VAT as they were European imports. The phones and chips were then sold on in the UK, with VAT added, through a number of other companies.
Notes for Editors
1. Harjit Singh Takkar, (22.03.75), a serving prisoner and formerly of 9 Lampton Park Road, Hounslow, TW3 4HS was convicted and sentenced in September 2007 on three counts; Conspiracy to Cheat the Public Revenue (seven years imprisonment), Cheat (three years imprisonment) and Fraudulent Trading (two years imprisonment). The sentences are being served concurrently.
2. His Honour Judge Stewart made the confiscation order at Guildford Crown Court yesterday.
