TWO haulage company directors who stole nearly £105,000 by faking vehicle purchases to claim VAT repayments have been sentenced.

An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found that Andrew Lumb, of Europlashaulage Ltd in Uxbridge, had submitted false invoices for the purchase of vehicles to claim VAT refunds of £30,271.

The fraud initially came to light when HMRC compliance officers made a VAT inspection at Lumb’s business.

During the investigation, Lumb admitted to helping acquaintance Charlie Doherty, director of Dochaulage Ltd in Staines, to replicate the fraud in his own businesses. With Lumb’s advice, Doherty, of Elmwood Road, Slough, submitted false invoices for the fictitious purchase of vehicles to reclaim VAT of £47,875 respectively.

Lumb was sentenced to 16 months in prison and disqualified from being a director for 10 years. Doherty was sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Paul Barton, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: “Both defendants believed they had found the perfect way to get rich quick by conning HMRC and stealing from the British taxpayer. They were wrong and are now facing the consequences of their actions.” A third man, Westley James Temple, of Colchester, Essex, was arrested in relation to the investigation but failed to answer court bail at Ipswich Crown Court on 1 October 2014, and has since gone into hiding.

A bench warrant has been granted for his immediate arrest and HMRC has issued a wanted appeal.

Anyone with information, should contact HMRC’s hotline on 0800 59 5000.