London Student Cracks Under Tax Fraud Probe
A London student has made grim history as the first person nailed for promoting tax fraud on social media. Habeeb Ajaga, just 21, used Instagram to push crooked schemes aimed at ripping off the VAT system.
HMRC Shuts Down Instagram Fraud Operation
Ajaga ran two Instagram accounts where he urged followers to cheat on tax. After HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service teamed up with Instagram to shut one account in 2022, he was back and running a second by 2023. But the authorities tracked both accounts straight back to him. He faced the music under caution last September.
Guilty Plea Lands Suspended Jail Sentence
At Southwark Crown Court on 16 October 2025, Ajaga admitted to two counts of encouraging fraud. He was handed 16 months behind bars – suspended for two years. A sharp warning to anyone tempted to use social media for dodgy tax dealings.
Simon Grunwell, head of HMRC’s cybercrime investigations, said: “This landmark conviction sends a clear message: we will act against anyone promoting tax fraud online. We back the law-abiding majority and have the power to stamp out those trying to undermine the tax system. Anyone aware of tax scams should report them via GOV.UK.”
