Published on Sunday 27 March 2011 18:25

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/10m_fuel_tax_fraud_1_2538975

A FRAUDSTER has been sentenced to four years in prison for his part in a £10million money laundering scam.

Brian McAtevey, 49, of Kiln Farm, Flitwick, was jailed for four years on Friday for his involvement in the multi-million fuel duty and money laundering rip-off.

McAtavey was jailed for his part in the fraud that involved laundering low duty fuels to remove the chemical marker and then selling them on as legitimate duty paid road diesel.

The criminal profits were then put through a range of business bank accounts and cheque cashing companies in an attempt to disguise their origins.

McAtavey appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday where he received his four-year jail term.

Mike O’Grady, assistant director of criminal investigation at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said: “Fuel laundering is unregulated and dangerous but this gang was motivated solely by greed and personal gain, costing us all, as taxpayers, millions of pounds in stolen revenue.

“Cheap, laundered fuel is no bargain. It undercuts honest businesses and has devastating effects on the environment when the toxic by-products of the laundering process are dumped in the countryside.

“HMRC works tirelessly to investigate fuel fraud, anyone with information should contact our Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

McAtavey was charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade excise duty. He was found guilty following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in November 2010.

Three men and a woman from Northern Ireland, Middlesex and London were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in February 2011 for their part in the crime.

A further individual is due to appear in court on the same offences.