Fraudster on the run for three years finally caught when he orders kebab to his hideout

Robert Kemp had been connected the tally since 2021 erstwhile helium admitted to VAT fraud but failed to be further tribunal hearings, sparking a antheral hunt that has present yet ended

A crook who was on the tally for astir 3 years was yet caught - erstwhile helium ordered a kebab to his hideout.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers arrested Robert Kemp astatine a bedsit successful Wales, aft the bare VAT fraudster stumped up £18 for a doner kebab. Intelligence developed from the kebab bid led officers to the 56-year-old who was staying little than fractional a mile from the takeaway successful the seaside municipality of Rhyl.

Kemp had been connected the tally since June 2021 aft helium admitted VAT fraud, but failed to be further tribunal hearings. A seat warrant was issued for his arrest. Kemp, on with his lad Marcus, acted arsenic a manager of a steadfast that claimed to proviso windows for caller physique homes.

They submitted a drawstring of mendacious invoices and fraudulently reclaimed £251,499 betwixt May and November 2015. His lad was jailed for 2 years and 2 months successful September 2021.

Robert Kemp was jailed for 2 years and 2 months for VAT fraud astatine Swindon Crown Court today. He was besides handed a two-month condemnation for going connected the run, and a 12-month condemnation for an unrelated offence of affray.

Matthew Moignard, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This lawsuit shows that we don’t hide and we don’t springiness up. We tin and bash usage a scope of tools to way down fugitives and bring them backmost earlier the courts to look justice.

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. The taxation we each wage helps to money the nationalist services we trust on. The bulk wage the taxation that is due, but a determined number who garbage to play by the rules. We determined to make a level playing tract for each and we promote anyone with accusation astir taxation fraud oregon wealth laundering to study it online.”