Tax fraud solicitor sentenced
A solicitor found guilty of tax fraud has been sentenced to ten years in jail following an investigation by HMRC. The solicitor from Leicester was found guilty of falsifying property conveyancing documents and lying to his clients. The solicitor, Shameer Sacranie, absconded and was sentenced in his absence.
HMRC’s investigations revealed that he had altered legal documents to reduce the amount of Stamp Duty due on 139 properties bought by his clients. Sacranie then charged his clients for Stamp Duty in excess of the fraudulently reduced amounts and pocketed the difference.
Stuart Taylor, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said:
‘As a solicitor, Sacranie knew only too well what the consequences of his actions would be. To abuse the trust of his clients was a despicable act, stealing money that had been paid by them in good faith to meet their tax liabilities.’