HMRC have blasted a Scots pensioner who carried out a ‘cynical’ £380k tax scam at two hotels in Fife.
Lesley Dykes stole enough money from the public purse to pay the annual salary of 15 new-start nurses during her devious scheme.
The 66-year-old, who ran The Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo and Dunnikier House Hotel in Kirkcaldy, has now been jailed two years.
The two hotels were raided by a team of HMRC detectives in August 2016 as shocked guests watched on in horror.
Dykes’s home in Markinch was also examined by the squad who discovered huge amounts of sales records which she claimed had been destroyed in a flood.
Mobile phones, computers and various business documents were also recovered resulting in Dykes being charged with VAT fraud the same day.
She appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on November 17 where she admitted stealing the massive sum of money.
The shamed business woman was jailed for two years when she appeared before a judge on Thursday.
Cheryl Burr, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This was a cynical and contrived plot to steal money that helps fund our public services. The tax this hotelier stole is the equivalent annual salary of 15 new-start nurses in Scotland.
“HMRC will continue to pursue the minority of criminals who attack the tax system and we ask anyone with information about suspected VAT fraud to report it to HMRC online or call our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”
Sineidin Corrins, Procurator Fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife said: “The investigation into Lesley Dykes’ fraudulent activity was complex and lengthy.
“The sentence should serve as a warning to others who seek to steal from the public purse.
“We will continue to work in partnership with HMRC to ensure those who seek to profit from VAT fraud are brought to justice.”
