Dubai link to UK tax dodgers' who owe Dh1.5 billion

The men have been convicted in UK courts in their absence of crimes ranging from tax fraud to smuggling.

DUBAI // Two men who owe the British government a combined Dh1.5 billion in tax are believed to be living in Dubai.
The pair have been convicted, in their absence, of crimes ranging from tax fraud to smuggling.
They are on a list of 30 most-wanted tax dodgers published by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Friday.
"Our message is clear: tax fraud and evasion is illegal and absolutely unacceptable," said George Osborne, the UK chancellor of the exchequer. "We hope that the publication of HMRC's most-wanted list will help get them caught and ensure they are brought to justice."
Among those named this year include British-Pakistani Hussain Asad Chohan, 44, who fled the UK before he was handed an 11-year sentence over a Dh1.1bn fraud.
The second, Adam Umerji, 34, received a 12-year sentence for value added tax fraud and six years for money laundering. His crimes cost the UK taxpayer £64m (Dh364m).
An update to their cases posted on Friday refers to "intelligence" that both men were in Dubai.
[e-mail]