SEVEN men and three women have been arrested as part of an investigation into a suspected £35million tax fraud, with premises in Yate being searched.
More than 80 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers searched three private and 12 business addresses across the South West, including in Yate, Stroud and Bristol on Wednesday.
Four of those arrested, men aged 27, 28 and 45, and a woman aged 35, were from Bristol.
Computers and business records were seized during the operation, and those arrested were interviewed by HMRC, having since been released under investigation.
Colin Spinks, HMRC fraud investigation service assistant director, said: “Tax fraud is often thought victimless but it isn’t; the public lose out on vital funds for essential services.
“We will continue to work with our partners to tackle this crime and ask anyone with information about this kind of activity to contact our HMRC fraud hotline.”
Investigations are continuing.
To contact the fraud hotline, call 0800 788 887.
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