By John Oates for The
Register.
This story has been reproduced with permission.
Emmanuel Hening, who has dual French and Belgian nationality,
was found guilty on three counts of missing trader fraud at
Worcester Crown Court. He was extradited from France in December
2005.
The judge described 33 year old Hening, who is based in
Luxembourg, as the "guiding hand" behind the eight person gang
which has received sentences totalling 38.5 years. A 54 year old
woman from Birmingham is still awaiting sentence.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said in a statement:
"The phones were purportedly imported into the UK VAT-free by
various companies set up by Hening. He then sold the phones on
paper charging VAT that was never paid over to HMRC. These
companies then went 'missing'. The phones were then 'sold' down the
line to various 'buffer' traders before they were exported back to
Hening. Each company made an agreed profit margin on the phones.
The companies were based in the West Midlands, Lancashire and the
Isle of Man."
Customs began investigating in 2000 and tracked links between
companies in France, Luxembourg and the UK.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has begun proceedings to
confiscate the assets and earnings made by the gang.
The Customs' press release is
here.
© The Register
2007
