Fourteen Arrested in UK-Romania £47M Phishing Tax Fraud Crackdown

Thirteen individuals were arrested in Romania, with an additional person detained in Preston, England, in connection with phishing attacks targeting the UK's tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). These attacks involved stealing personal data to submit fraudulent claims for tax repayments, VAT, and child benefits, resulting in losses amounting to £47 million. The arrests were made during coordinated raids involving over 100 Romanian police officers and HMRC criminal investigators, with luxury cars and large sums of cash seized. The suspects, aged between 23 and 53, face charges including computer fraud, money laundering, and unauthorized access to computer systems. HMRC emphasized ongoing investigations into phishing incidents and the importance of international cooperation to combat tax fraud. The agency also reassured the public that it has taken steps to protect affected customers, who were notified following the breach.