VAT’LL DO NICELY

Court seizes £2.5million of diamonds, cash, properties and land from fraudster

A FRAUD suspect linked to a global VAT scam has been stripped of more than £2.5million in alleged crime profits, including a diamond collection. Ronnie Decker was hit with an order to hand over land, property, bank accounts, jewellery and cash under proceeds of crime laws. The 48-year-old had appealed against the ruling but the Crown Office will now take possession of the assets after the case was settled out of court.

Items seized included £82,000 in cash found in his home, diamonds, designer watches and a £380,000 house.

The Crown’s Civil Recovery Unit worked alongside HMRC and authorities worldwide to probe bank accounts and assets held in multiple countries.

In 2001, Decker was accused of masterminding a £48million VAT fraud using Glasgow firm Q-Tech Distribution Ltd.

Q-Tech and owner Mohammed Sattar, 52, agreed to a £1.2million out-of-court settlement after a proceeds of crime action.

Charges against Sierra Leoneborn Decker were dropped. But authorities pursued him through the civil courts to try to claw back millions and in 2011, prosecutors froze his assets.

Fraud baron Michael Voudouri, 50, from Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, was convicted of claiming back VAT through Q-Tech.

In 2014, he was sentenced to 11 years in jail for money laundering and failing to appear for sentencing.

CRU head Denise McKay said: “I am delighted the case has been settled and that money will finally benefit Scotland’s communities.”