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Details of the country’s most sought-after tax fugitives have been issued to the public for the first time.
In an unprecedented move, HMRC have published the names, images and details of 20 individuals alleged to have defrauded the public purse of an estimated total in excess of £700m.
Offences of which they are accused centre mainly on VAT and smuggling, with instances of 
money laundering and income tax fraud.
All those on the ‘most wanted’ list – which can be found on the Revenue’s Flickr page – have absconded after being charged or during trial. Many are believed to be in hiding overseas, although at least three are thought to still be in the UK.
At the top of the list is Hussain Asad Chohan (pictured).
He is thought to be in Dubai, having failed to appear in Birmingham Crown Court to face charges of tax fraud worth around £200m, which included importing more than two tonnes of tobacco worth £750,000 in duty.
Mr Chohan was found guilty in his absence and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. He has also been served with a £33m confiscation order.
As in the past, the taxman worked with the Crimestoppers charity to gather information from the public about the fugitives.
People can report leads on the ‘most wanted’ via the Revenue’s fraud-reporting hotline on 0800 595 000 or through the Crimestoppers website.
Exchequer secretary David Gauke said, ‘The government is absolutely committed to tackling tax evasion and fraud… HMRC will pursue them relentlessly. We hope that publishing their pictures in this way will enable members of the public to contribute to the effort to catch them.’
