A tax fraudster, who handled more than £360,000 in illegal scrap metal cash payments, is now behind bars, after his crime was uncovered.
Carl Bulmer, aged 45, from Keadby in Lincolnshire, fell foul of money laundering regulations.
Scrap metal dealers are no longer legally allowed to pay out or accept cash. Instead payments need to be made by cheque.
During an inspection by HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) taxation investigation department, Bulmer claimed that he had been approached by two men who asked him to weigh in scrap metal for them as they did not have bank accounts.
He described how the unnamed associates would arrive at his home with a van of scrap, which was unloaded into his vehicle. He then travelled to Bradford to collect cash payments in a sealed envelope, which he passed to the men.
In return, he was given £100 for his trouble plus an extra £20 for petrol. Bulmer admitted to HMRC’s tax inspectors that he had doubted the legitimacy of the arrangement, but went ahead regardless because he ‘needed the cash’.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Bulmer had made the illicit journey 75 times over a three year-period from 2013 and weighed in metal worth £368,924.
Bulmer admitted tax fraud and was handed a 12 month prison sentence.
Following sentencing, Tim Atkins, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Bulmer deliberately broke the law to line his own pockets. He thought his role in the scrap metal scam would go unnoticed, but he was wrong. He is now paying the price.”
Dr Anjulika Salhan, a Director and Head of Salhan Accountants’ taxation investigation team, commented: “HMRC’s taxation investigation department will not hesitate to prosecute if they believe that deliberate fraud has been committed.
“Although only a minority of individuals intentionally set out to defraud HMRC, there are many people who find that they have unwittingly broken HMRC’s tax rules and are shocked to discover that they are under the spotlight of a tax investigation.
“At Salhan Accountants, our team work extremely hard for clients subjected to a taxation investigation. We not only clarify the issues and the process, but come up with solutions too.”
For more information about our taxation investigation services, please contact us.
