Firms sign up for ‘dawn raid’ seminar

DOZENS of professional firms are signing up for dawn raid seminars over rising fears of investigations by HMRC.
By GARETH ROSE
Published 29th Jan 2013, 00:32 BST

Pinsent Mason is holding events in Glasgow and Aberdeen next month, and more than 60 firms have signed up – twice the rate of England and Wales.

Tom Stocker, partner in the business crime investigations team, said: “We’ve seen a significant increase in search and seize by HMRC. It’s particularly affecting accountants, in areas like VAT carousel fraud and frauds relating to investments in the film industry.

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“We appear to be seeing a harder line taken on insider dealing cases. They do seem to be carrying out raids at individuals’ offices and homes.

“OFT has also taken a far more aggressive stance, employing lawyers and former police officers to carry out their work.”