Rates fraudsters jailed
Watkins and Clay Coldcallers working for Jamie Watkins and Callum Clay phoned small firms and promised they could them a get a cut in their business rates.
The pair then charged £399 to £499 for sending out standard rates appeal letters and making threatening demands when anyone refused to pay.
The fraud netted more than £220,000 from victims including hairdressers and cafes, often run by people who spoke little English.
Watkins, 29, has now been jailed for four years and Clay, 30, for three. On Tuesday both were found
aguilty of fraudulent trading following a 10-day trial. A jury at Nottingham crown court heard how they traded as “leading specialists in business rates” Abbey Rowe and Hywood Consultants, which hid behind a London virtual office address.
“This investigation has been extremely complex, with nearly 3,500 businesses involved,” said Jane Bailey, head of Trading Standards at Nottingham City Council.
Anyone is entitled challenge their rates for free through the Valuation Office Agency.