Wiltshire Police are warning businesses and the self-employed of a scam. Businesses in Swindon have recently received letters from VAT registration scammers who are encouraging to people to join what appear to be official directories.
The scammers have downloaded company information which are in most part lawfully available on the internet or other publications, say police.
The scam comes from Hamburg in Germany, with links to other overseas locations, from the address of digital publisher in Hamburg. Other overseas addresses are also used including Spain and Canada. An envelope is included with a return postal address of MLG Greenford, UK. The letter claims that the placing of these VAT entries in their directory is obligatory under ‘changes to the EU economic package’.
They are using official looking documents with fine print and misleading information, according to police. The documents are well prepared to give the impression that information has to be provided and prices for their ‘service’ range from £797. Police advice you not to engage with this scam.
