London TikTok Users Duped in £153m Tax Scam by Two Arrested Men

A major tax scam has been unearthed in the United Kingdom, with two individuals arrested in east London for their alleged roles in a £153 million fraudulent scheme. The suspects, aged 22 and 25, are believed to have used the popular social media app TikTok to lure victims into sharing their personal tax details, promising them financial rewards in return. However, investigators from HMRC have revealed that the scammers used the obtained information to file false tax claims, which were eventually blocked by the tax authority. The HMRC is now warning social media users to be cautious of posts that promise 'risk-free' rewards in exchange for their tax information, as such claims are likely to be scams. According to Simon Grunwell, HMRC's head of cybercrime investigations, 'Claims of quick, risk-free cash in return for sharing your personal information are a scam. They aim to defraud you and the taxpayer.' The two Romanian men involved in the alleged scheme were arrested in Newham on April 23 and have been accused of offences under the Fraud Act, the Serious Crime Act, the Computer Misuse Act, and the Proceeds of Crime Act. They have since been released on bail, with the investigation still ongoing. The HMRC is urging social media users to protect their personal tax details in the same way they protect their bank details, as the consequences of falling victim to such scams can be severe.