United Kingdom - VAT fraudster jailed for ‘cheating the nation’

A FINCHLEY man was jailed for swindling taxpayers out of £272,650, at Croydon Crown Court last week.

Joe Solomon, 51, of Kingsway, Finchley, set up nine companies between 2001 and 2005 for the sole purpose of using them to make fraudulent claims for VAT receipts.

Previously known as Joseph Lorie, Solomon used a number of aliases when registering the companies. He would then claim back the 17.5 per cent paid on various goods and services as VAT even though the companies did not do any business.

Solomon was sentenced to 12 months in prison and banned from becoming a company director for seven years.

Bob Gaiger, spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs, said: "We are pleased the court recognised the seriousness of this case. We will take stringent action against those cheating the nation of public funds."