Menu
27/01/2011
£3m Tax Credits Cheat Jailed
The central member of a gang who stole more than £3m of tax credits has been jailed today at the Old Bailey.
Lithuanian Ricardas Virokaitis, of Eltham, South East London, was jailed for five years, following a complex international investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Virokaitis, 37, was the linchpin of a gang who paid Eastern European women to come to the UK solely to register for benefits and tax credits. Virokaitis and his criminal colleagues escorted the women while they gained the necessary documentation to claim the fraudulent benefits. The women then returned to their home country and the gang accessed their payments via bogus bank accounts. The 37-year-old deliberately recruited women with children in order to maximise the amounts paid to each account.
More than 100 women were fraudulently registered for benefits and tax credits. This enabled Virokaitis’s gang to steal over £3 million in bogus tax credit and benefit payments. Before he was arrested Virokaitis was withdrawing up to £90,000 every month from bogus accounts.
Virokaitis was arrested in September 2010 at Stansted airport, whilst attempting to flee the country on a flight to Lithuania. HMRC officers uncovered a safe house used by the gang in South East London, where they found 93 bank cards and false identity documents hidden under the floorboards.
Simon Grunwell, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Criminal gangs such as this are a menace who steal from honest taxpayers. HMRC is cracking down on fraud in the benefits system and the Government has made a further £900 million available to us for tackling evasion, avoidance and attacks by criminal gangs.”
Other suspected members of the criminal gang have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
(BMcN/GK)
Lithuanian Ricardas Virokaitis, of Eltham, South East London, was jailed for five years, following a complex international investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Virokaitis, 37, was the linchpin of a gang who paid Eastern European women to come to the UK solely to register for benefits and tax credits. Virokaitis and his criminal colleagues escorted the women while they gained the necessary documentation to claim the fraudulent benefits. The women then returned to their home country and the gang accessed their payments via bogus bank accounts. The 37-year-old deliberately recruited women with children in order to maximise the amounts paid to each account.
More than 100 women were fraudulently registered for benefits and tax credits. This enabled Virokaitis’s gang to steal over £3 million in bogus tax credit and benefit payments. Before he was arrested Virokaitis was withdrawing up to £90,000 every month from bogus accounts.
Virokaitis was arrested in September 2010 at Stansted airport, whilst attempting to flee the country on a flight to Lithuania. HMRC officers uncovered a safe house used by the gang in South East London, where they found 93 bank cards and false identity documents hidden under the floorboards.
Simon Grunwell, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Criminal gangs such as this are a menace who steal from honest taxpayers. HMRC is cracking down on fraud in the benefits system and the Government has made a further £900 million available to us for tackling evasion, avoidance and attacks by criminal gangs.”
Other suspected members of the criminal gang have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 October 2015
Knife Crime Initiative Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service has launched a week of activity to tackle knife crime in the Capital, following a successful campaign in the summer.
Knife Crime Initiative Launched
The Metropolitan Police Service has launched a week of activity to tackle knife crime in the Capital, following a successful campaign in the summer.
06 May 2015
Two Men Jailed For 15 Years For Firearms Offences
Two men has been jailed for 15 years for firearms offences, following an operation by the Trident Gang Crime Command. Edward Ephraim and Adrian McNeish, both aged 32, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by the squad when they stopped two cars on 23 December, 2013.
Two Men Jailed For 15 Years For Firearms Offences
Two men has been jailed for 15 years for firearms offences, following an operation by the Trident Gang Crime Command. Edward Ephraim and Adrian McNeish, both aged 32, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by the squad when they stopped two cars on 23 December, 2013.
21 August 2013
Recovered Gun Revealed As Murder Weapon
A gun recovered from a canal on Merseyside has been identified as the weapon used in an unsolved murder committed in Liverpool last December.
Recovered Gun Revealed As Murder Weapon
A gun recovered from a canal on Merseyside has been identified as the weapon used in an unsolved murder committed in Liverpool last December.
16 February 2012
Over 500 Arrested By Anti Gang Squad Last Week
A total of 515 gang-related arrests have been made along with weapons, drugs and cash seizures by a newly formed anti-gang police team.
Over 500 Arrested By Anti Gang Squad Last Week
A total of 515 gang-related arrests have been made along with weapons, drugs and cash seizures by a newly formed anti-gang police team.
08 February 2012
Met Lunches Major Gang Crackdown
Dozens of suspected gang members are being targeted today in a series of coordinated operations which marks the start of a major new crack down on gang crime by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Met Lunches Major Gang Crackdown
Dozens of suspected gang members are being targeted today in a series of coordinated operations which marks the start of a major new crack down on gang crime by the Metropolitan Police Service.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
