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Film investment gang sentenced to total of 29 years for £98m fraud (1 July 2016)

Date: 01/07/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Film investment gang sentenced to total of 29 years for £98m fraud

Birmingham Crown Court has sentenced four men who defrauded HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to a total of 29 years in prison for their role in an elaborate tax fraud involving the funding of UK film productions.

The defendants dishonestly claimed losses had been made, so that income tax could be falsely claimed back from HMRC.

The court heard that tax relief is available to UK investors in film productions and the defendants took advantage to make fraudulent claims.

Keith Hayley, Robert Bevan, Anthony Savill and Norman Leighton were convicted of conspiracy to cheat at Birmingham Crown Court, after profiting by £98 million from the fraud.

The four defendants had devised the scheme, which was sold on to investors by independent financial advisors.

The scheme worked by investors paying money into an LLP in the form of a long-term loan.

In return for making payments to the Limited Liability Partnership, investors were to receive a share of any loss incurred during production, which they could offset against other income.

The scheme was marketed as funding the British film industry, however the scheme was designed to fail – and the investors were able to offset their “losses” against other taxable earnings.

However, the losses were inflated and as a result, significant gains were made by claiming tax relief.

Keith Hayley, Robert Bevan and Charles Savill were each sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, while Norman Leighton was sentenced to two years’ in prison (suspended).

After sentencing, Deputy Head of the Specialist Fraud Division at the CPS, Naheed Hussain, said:

“These men used a scheme designed to boost the British economy and stole money from the public purse.

“The CPS will now take steps to recover the criminal assets in this case.”

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Duncan Lewis can also liase with investing agencies such as SFO, FCA, BIS, Insolvency Service, DWP, HMRC and City of London Police, as well as advising on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on all fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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