Most-wanted tax dodgers list revealed

Published on 16/08/2012 12:00

A MOST-WANTED list of 20 alleged tax dodgers – who are accused of fleeing the UK while owing the Government millions of pounds – has been issued.

Among them is Edinburgh-born cigarette smuggler Malcolm McGowan – dubbed El Cig – who is wanted in connection with smuggling millions of cigarettes into the UK.

His unpaid tax bill is estimated at £16 million.

McGowan, 60, has been on the run for ten years. He was caught by Spanish police last year, but went into hiding again after being granted bail.

Names and pictures were published by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for the first time, as investigators appealed for the public’s help to find them.

Exchequer Secretary David Gauke said: “These criminals have collectively cost the taxpayer over £765m and HMRC will pursue them relentlessly. We hope that publishing their pictures will enable members of the public to contribute to the effort to catch them.”