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One of HMRC's most wanted found in Cyprus

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15th Oct 2012
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A fraudster on HMRC's UK top 20 tax fugitive list has been found in Cyprus and is trying to negotiate a return to the UK.

Timur Mehmet is wanted for his role in a VAT fraud scheme worth £25m to resell goods several times and claim VAT via setting up fake companies issuing sham invoices. The VAT he claimed was never passed onto HMRC.

He absconded pre-trial in January 2008, but was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Sky News tracked the fugitive down, who has apparently been hiding in northern Cyprus for five years, a country which has no extradition treaty with Britain. 

He told Sky: "I am trying to do a deal to return to the UK. People who think I should be serving my sentence will get their wish very soon,"

In August, HMRC appealed to the public to help track down tax fugitives by calling Crimestoppers, and published a list of photos and biographies of what they considered to be the top 20 fugitives in the UK. 

Aside from this, a campaign was launched in September by Crimestoppers to track down nine most wanted fugitives thought to be in Cyprus and Mehmet was also on this list.

To date, three of the nine have been arrested.

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Replies (8)

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By johnjenkins
15th Oct 2012 13:30

How can

you negotiate a prison sentence. All criminals might as well abscond to Cyprus, then re-negotiate a prison term. Why don't the SAS just capture him and have done with it.

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By carnmores
15th Oct 2012 13:51

in tis case we want the money

.

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By johnjenkins
15th Oct 2012 14:02

So

8 years roughly £3m a year. He will only do 4. So he gives them £12m and stays out of nick. Good advert for crime doesn't pay. I've always thought our legal system puts money before life. Don't tell me our friend is chief negotiator.

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By nogammonsinanundoubledgame
16th Oct 2012 07:10

@ johnjenkins

Most criminals who lack the nous to abscond to Cyprus find that the Proceeds of Crime act has a sting.

With kind regards

Clint Westwood

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By User deleted
16th Oct 2012 10:09

When will Turkey join EU ....

First Asil Nadir, now this chap ...

The possibility of Turkey joining the EU may well have a bearing on decisions to do a deal with HMRC - after all if they do join then Northern Cyprus ("Costa del Crime") would no longer be a sanctuary

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By J Lessels
18th Oct 2012 12:20

I'll do the negotiating

Come back to the UK and we will give you a fair trial and we won't extadite you to the US.

PS - Give us all your money.

 

 

Job done

 

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By The Black Knight
23rd Oct 2012 10:48

Why ?

Why would you want to come back?

 

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By johnjenkins
23rd Oct 2012 11:06

They all want

to come back at some stage. Normally when they run out of money or are really ill

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