Eight crooks caught dodging millions in tax have been slammed with jail time. A slick organised crime group cooked up fake labour firms to pocket VAT and tax deductions meant for HMRC, raking in a staggering £22 million.
How the Scam Worked
- The gang set up phoney labour supply companies to stash VAT payments and subcontractor tax deductions.
- Terry Mordecai, Dean Remfry, Billy Kinsella, and Dean Simmonds routed their companies’ payrolls through the OCG’s fraudulent setups.
- The OCG siphoned off VAT and tax owed to HMRC, splitting the cash with insiders via cash couriers.
- Mordecai and Michael O’Sullivan roped in other companies, pocketing over £238,000 and £42,000 respectively.
Big Names, Bigger Penalties
- Terry Mordecai, 45, London – 2 years 6 months jail plus 6 years disqualified from directorship.
- Dean Remfry, 52, Sevenoaks – 2 years 6 months jail, 6 years disqualified.
- Michael O’Sullivan, 50, Essex – 2 years 2 months jail, 6 years disqualified.
- Billy Kinsella, 36, Essex – 1 year 9 months suspended jail.
- Dean Simmonds, 53, Essex – 18-month community order.
- Mark Ives, 47, Crayford – 24 months’ suspended jail.
- Mason Bonura, 29, Hertfordshire – 24 months’ suspended jail.
- Christopher Denton, 35, Gravesend – 2 years’ suspended jail.
What the Cops and HMRC Say
Detective Constable Dameon Shaw said: “These individuals knowingly took part in stealing VAT and CIS payments from HMRC to line their own pockets. Today’s sentences send a clear message — no tax cheat gets away.”
“The total now stands at 27 offenders caught, from ringleaders to couriers and office staff.”
“Tax fraud cheats everyone. Despite their efforts to hide, we exposed the full scale and brought them to justice.”
Martin Forster, HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, added: “These jail terms must warn others. We target and prosecute anyone, including company directors, who game the tax system and steal funds vital for public services.”
“If anyone knows about tax fraud, report it straightaway to HMRC on GOV.UK.”
