HMRC urges shoppers to report vape shops, barbers and 'dodgy shops'
HMRC launches a campaign urging the public to report suspicious businesses like vape shops and barbers for tax fraud and money laundering.Summary
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched a major enforcement campaign encouraging the public to anonymously report vape shops, barbers, and other high street businesses suspected of tax fraud, money laundering, or selling illicit goods. The initiative, part of a broader government effort to combat organized crime, will involve over 30,000 interventions in 2026-27 targeting criminal networks. Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham have called on citizens to use HMRC’s improved Report Tax Fraud service to submit factual details about suspicious activities. The campaign emphasizes protecting local communities and honest businesses from undercutting by illegal operations. A new High Street Organised Crime Unit, funded with £30 million, coordinates efforts between HMRC, Trading Standards, police, and the National Crime Agency to analyze reports and prioritize investigations.
(Source：Dorset Echo)
