Nine charged in VAT fraud probe

Mobile phones have been at the centre of carousel fraud

Nine men have been charged with fraud relating to a suspected £250m value added tax (VAT) scam.

The charges relate to an alleged "carousel fraud", which involves importing high-value goods free of VAT from other European Union countries.

These goods are then sold in the UK with VAT charged, but the tax is not handed over to Revenue & Customs.

The men were arrested in London, southern England, south Wales, Cheshire and the Midlands.

A 10th man, arrested on Tuesday, is still being questioned.

'Five-year inquiry'

Three of the men have also been charged with money laundering.

The charges relate to the alleged purchase of mobile phones in continental Europe and their subsequent supply to businesses in the UK.

They follow an ongoing five-year investigation into VAT fraud.

One of those charged appeared before magistrates in London on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody.

A further eight men will appear in court on Wednesday.

A woman has also been arrested in connection with the inquiry.

European arrest warrants have been issued in France and Spain against four others, while Revenue & Customs said it expected further arrests.

The nine men charged with cheating the public revenue are:

• Curtis Laurent, 48, from Cardiff
• Marcus Hughes, 36, from Uttoxeter
• Keith Bennett, 45, from Beaconsfield
• Hashib Apabhai, 46, from Bedworth
• Mohammed Novsarka, 45, from Warwickshire
• Peter Ebbrell, 55, from Coventry
• Keith Ponder, 56, from Beaconsfield
• Amir Naghibossadat, 36, from London
• Sampson Goldstone, 31, from Bowdon Cheshire

Mr Apabhai, Mr Novsarka and Mr Goldstone have also been charged with money laundering offences.