Fraudsters jailed for site security tax dodge

Grant Prior 14 years ago
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A husband, wife and their three daughters have been sentenced for their part in a multi million pound tax and money laundering fraud centred on their construction security business.

Isaac William from London ran businesses supplying security guards to the construction industry called Solomon Co-Operative Services/Chris Solo Co-Operative Services (CSCS) and Euro Co-Operative Services

He was jailed for failing to declare £5m of business profits and not paying the correct amount of tax due.

His wife Venus, and their three daughters Maria Gunasekara, Sylvia William and Sophie William were also sentenced for laundering £1.3m from the business into their own bank accounts.

Simon De Kayne, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), said:
“Isaac William failed to declare his company’s income or pay taxes of £1.1m from his business activities.

“The amount he owes now stands at £2.6m including interest. His wife and daughters then continued the web of deceit by laundering over £1.3m through their personal bank accounts.

“Their criminal activities ensured they were able to fund luxury lifestyles and further increase their wealth at the expense of the taxpayer.

“We will continue to pursue those involved in this type of criminal activity and bring them before the courts. We will now work to reclaim the proceeds of their crime.”

HMRC investigators found that between 1999 and 2008 Williams’ businesses Solomon Co-Operative Services/Chris Solo Co-Operative Services (CSCS) and Euro Co-Operative Services received income of £6m.

Isaac William submitted partnership, personal income tax, VAT and PAYE returns to HMRC declaring the income as £1m.

Some of the undeclared profits were transferred from the business bank accounts into his wife’s and daughters’ personal accounts.

The family members used the money to finance the purchase of two properties in Pakistan, properties in the UK and several trips to Dubai and Pakistan.

They withdrew large amounts of cash and transferred some of it into bank accounts they held in Dubai and Pakistan.

Isaac William pleaded guilty to ten counts of tax fraud in May and was sentenced on Friday at Kingston Crown Court.

Venus William and their daughters Maria Gunasekara, Sylvia William and Sophie William were all found guilty of money laundering offences on 13 October 2011, after a trial at Kingston Crown Court.

Confiscation proceedings are underway.

Isaac William of  London SW17 was sentenced  to four years imprisonment.

Venus Rose William of London SW17 was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Maria Gunasekara nee William of New Malden, Surrey was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to undertake 100 hours community service.

Sylvia William of Hounslow, Middlesex was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to undertake 100 hours community service.

Sophie William of London SW17 was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to undertake 150 hours community service.

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