Brits jailed for £300,000 bogus company scam

Fraudsters submitted VAT repayment claims for nine phoney firms, including a software engineering company

Three Brits have been banged up for their part in a bogus company scam designed to rob the taxman of £300,000.

Pa Modou Njai, Ousman Moustapha Njai and Annas Bah were all sentenced to between 18 months and three years at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday.

The triumvirate of fraudsters submitted VAT repayment claims for a phoney software engineering company and eight other bogus firms they set up. HMRC found no evidence they had been trading.

HMRC, which arrested the trio in dawn raids last March, said the victory showed that those considering fraud have no place left to hide.

"This case sends a clear message to anyone involved in or considering fraud against HMRC – your time is up," said Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC.

"We are working relentlessly to combat those involved in tax evasion and fraud and bring them before the courts. With over £10bn being stolen from UK finances each year by criminals, it is a serious crime which we are determined to eradicate."