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eBay trader jailed for two years for tax fraud and VAT avoidance (8 September 2014)
Date: 08/09/2014
A man who committed tax fraud while trading on eBay has been sentenced to years in prison, after being found guilty of two charges of cheating the public revenue and one charge of concealing or transferring criminal property.
John Eric Woolfenden was an eBay trader for more than six years, Bolton Crown Court was told. During that time, he evaded paying £299,752.93 in tax to HMRC after selling more than 500,000 products over the six year period through his eBay shop Globalworldentertainments. The turnover of the shop was estimated to be £1.4 million over a long period during which Mr Woolfenden was trading.
The court heard that it is the responsibility of eBay traders to submit accurate figures of their earning to HMRC – and pay tax on the income. Businesses trading on eBay are also expected to register for VAT if appropriate.
The court heard that between February 2006 and March 2013, Woolfenden failed to declare the monies he had received from online trading – and also failed to register the business for VAT.
Mr Woolfenden pleaded guilty to all charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He was found guilty of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property – the monies from unpaid tax – using bank transfers and cheques between February 2009 and December 2009 in Bury and elsewhere in the country.
Specialist Fraud Prosecutor at the CPS, Arslan Khan, said:
“John Woolfenden was an eBay trader who defrauded HMRC by failing to declare income from online sales and failing to register for VAT.
“He operated an online DVD, music and games business – however, failed to disclose this and the significant levels of profit he received from these sales.
“Woolfenden stole from the taxpayer by failing to pay tax due on his earnings – and instead pocketed a significant sum of money owing to HMRC.
“He must now face the consequences of his actions,” Mr Khan added.
“Those who choose to stay under the radar – operating in a cashless economy, but leaving behind a paper trail of transactions – may be in for an unpleasant surprise,” Mr Khan warned.
“When some law-abiding tax payers are suffering real hardship, the need to demonstrate that we will deter, detect and prosecute those who evade tax is greater than ever.”
Duncan Lewis Fraud Lawyers
Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers are able to advise at any stage of a criminal charge for fraud, including charges to financial fraud and company fraud, such as avoidance of tax and non-payment of VAT.
Duncan Lewis fraud Lawyers are a leading firm of Legal Aid lawyers and are also able to advise on:
• Benefit fraud
• Blue Badge fraud
• Boiler room scams
• Credit Card fraud
• Conveyancing fraud
• Housing fraud
• Identity fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Ponzi schemes
• Visa fraud.
For expert legal advice on fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers on 020 7923 4020.