A second-hand car dealer from London has been jailed for stealing nearly £86,000 in a tax and benefit fraud after a joint investigation by HMRC and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
Philip Roff from Eltham in south London failed to register for self-assessment and declare the tax and national insurance due on his business activities, thus evading payment of £27,460 in taxes.
HMRC officers found £926,472 had passed through his bank account between November 2007 and November 2013, including £250 a month in interest he received from a savings account.
At the same time Roff falsely claimed more than £58,528 from the DWP, having failed to declare he had over £80,000 in savings, which put him well over the £16,000 threshold for claiming benefits.
Martin Brown, assistant director of HMRC’s fraud investigation service, said: ‘Roff thought he was below our radar, acting as though the law did not apply to him. He also claimed benefits to which he was not entitled. He stole from the taxpayer and the nation’s finances and is now living with the consequences of his criminal actions.’
The judge at Roff’s trial at Woolwich Crown Court, which saw Roff plead guilty and be given a one year prison sentence, said: ‘You have a strong streak of dishonesty and are evasive, and have shown a complete lack of remorse.’
Confiscation proceedings to reclaim the money are underway.
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