Fraudster who funded jet set life with stolen taxpayers’ cash is jailed

Veekshit Ramoo has been sentenced to prison after it was discovered he submitted £2.1 million of fraudulent VAT repayment claims to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through his bookkeeping company Ramoo Associates, for VAT payments to suppliers that were never made.

HMRC officers uncovered the fraud when the claims were checked. Analysis of individual and business bank accounts showed spending on jewellery, private hospital treatment, shopping trips to Harrods, fireworks, nightclubs and event tickets.

Ramoo was charged with tax fraud and money laundering offences after his arrest. 

“Veekshit Ramoo used taxpayers’ cash as a piggy bank to indulge his lavish lifestyle, love of fast cars and expensive holidays, but he came unstuck after investigators uncovered his lies," said Richard Wilkinson, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC.

“Our actions do not stop at conviction. We will now seek to recover the stolen money. We encourage anyone with information about tax fraud or money laundering to report it online or call the Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887."

Investigators established Ramoo spent £411,000 on luxurious cars, including a gold Audi R8 4.2 Quattro, an Aston Martin Rapide and an Audi Q7. He also spent £149,000 on flights and more than £112,000 on foreign exchange. He made several trips to Mauritius and took holidays in India and China.

Ramoo was found guilty of cheating the public revenue and two counts of converting criminal property at Southwark Crown Court on 2 July 2021. He was sentenced to seven years in prison at the same court on 7 July 2021.