Multi-million pound fraud arrests

The fraud is said to involve hundreds of millions of pounds

Eight search warrants were executed and three people arrested in Glasgow during an operation targeting multi-million pound VAT fraud.

HM Revenue and Customs said the arrests were linked to the Missing Trader fraud, "a sophisticated organised criminal attack" on EU VAT.

The operation saw more than 300 criminal investigators deployed in France, Spain, Germany and the UK.

In the UK a total of 50 search warrants were executed.

Addresses in London, Glasgow, the Midlands, Manchester, Dover, Bristol and South Wales were raided.

A total of 13 people were arrested in the operation.

Euan Stewart, HM Revenue and Customs deputy director of criminal investigations, said: "We are committed to tackling VAT fraud and to showing the criminals behind it that there are no safe havens.

"We will pursue them, and the money they steal, wherever they operate in the world."

The 13 people arrested, including three in Glasgow, are being interviewed by investigators and enquiries are continuing.