Harrogate takeaway owner sentenced for £175k VAT fraud

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Tien Poon Su, of Beckwith Road, Harrogate, ran Sakura Takeaway and failed to declare online sales worth more than £1.7 million to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Investigations found the 52-year-old used a personal bank account to take payments from online food order services, but never told HMRC or paid any VAT. In total he evaded £175,965 in VAT between August 2012 and March 2019.

Su admitted VAT fraud at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on October 15 this year. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, and 250 hours unpaid work, at York Crown Court today, November 12.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “Su thought he could hide his earnings and pocket taxpayer’s money, which should be used to fund our vital public services.

“We will continue to pursue the small minority who think VAT fraud is acceptable. If you know anyone who is committing tax fraud or laundering money, you can report them to HMRC on gov.uk or call our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”