Proceeds of Crime

(asked on 21st May 2018) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many investigations HMRC is undertaking into corporate bodies, in relation to offences under (a) section 327-329 and (b) section 330 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2017.


Answered by
Mel Stride Portrait
Mel Stride
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
This question was answered on 24th May 2018

HMRC cannot comment on ongoing criminal investigations into individuals or businesses.

However, HMRC is committed to tackling money laundering, including the abuse of corporate entities, and investigates companies where money laundering can be attributed to individuals who are directing minds of the company.

HMRC also investigates individuals who are officers of companies but are prosecuted for their personal behaviours rather than that of the company. HMRC’s records do not categorise whether investigations and subsequent convictions are in respect of the individual working as an officer for the company or in relation to their personal activity.

In the last three years, HMRC has achieved 101 convictions for POCA money laundering and Money Laundering Regulation offences.

HMRC received investment at Autumn Budget 2017 to increase its capability and target the facilitators of tax crime and money laundering, including enforcing provisions in the Criminal Finances Act 2017, which will deliver an additional £700m by 2023.

HMRC has a strong track record of tackling those who have evaded their responsibilities or those who have facilitated tax evasion and is successful in over 90% of prosecutions.

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