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UK fraudster who fled to Dubai ordered to hand over £90m property empire and Ferrari
The Court of Appeal has rejected Arif Patel’s challenge to an order requiring him to repay £90.5 million and surrender his Ferrari. Patel, who fled the UK for Dubai in 2011, was convicted in his absence for leading a major VAT and counterfeit-goods fraud; the ruling means work can now begin to sell his property empire, with proceeds returned to taxpayers.
The court upheld the increase from £52.7 million, the estimated criminal proceeds between 2003 and 2008, to £90.5 million to account for inflation. The original figure included £33.4 million stolen through VAT fraud and more than £19 million from counterfeit designer goods. Judges rejected Patel’s arguments that the sum was unfair and that he lacked assets, noting he had lived comfortably in the UAE for 15 years and had not co-operated with efforts to identify his Dubai assets.
In short
- Patel lost his appeal against a £90.5 million confiscation order.
- His property empire and Ferrari are to be sold.
- Sale proceeds will go back to taxpayers.
Explained simply
VAT is a tax charged on many goods and services, and businesses collect it on behalf of the government. Fraud involving VAT can include claiming refunds a business is not entitled to, while counterfeit goods are products made to imitate genuine brands.
Arif Patel was convicted in his absence for leading a fraud involving VAT and fake designer goods. He left the UK for Dubai in 2011, and the case concerns money and property linked to the offences.
A confiscation order can require someone convicted of crime to repay money gained from it. The amount may be adjusted to reflect inflation, and any recovered funds can be returned to the public purse.