This year’s list once again demonstrates HMRC ’s relentless pursuit of tax criminals and shows the lengths some will go to steal money destined to support important public services.

It demonstrates the sheer diversity of crimes HMRC deals with, including stealing Gift Aid money from charities, smuggling illicit tobacco in fridge freezers, breaching weapons of mass destruction controls and buying top-end sports cars with the proceeds of crime.

From high-flying business people to tax consultants, church leaders to organised criminals, HMRC ’s fraud investigations have led to 671 people being convicted over the last 12 months for their part in tax crimes. In addition, HMRC has charged another 919 people and taken on 746 new criminal investigations.

This year’s top 10 prosecutions include:

HMRC ’s Fraud Investigation Service continues to bring in around £5 billion a year through civil and criminal investigations.

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

HMRC ’s investigative teams have been working hard to crack down on tax crimes in the UK, and hold those who would cheat the public revenue to account. The range of cases in this year’s list demonstrates how HMRC will always tackle fraud and can prosecute anyone who steals from the public or breaks the rules - from smugglers to potential arms dealers.

Simon York, Director of the Fraud Investigation Service, said:

As these cases show, HMRC can and will tackle the most serious tax crime and breaches of sanctions whether committed by organised criminals, professional advisors or wealthy individuals. We remain resolute and relentless in our determination to level the playing field and bring tax criminals to justice on behalf of the majority of citizens who pay their tax to fund vital public services.