LONDON: Mallusk-based Wilsons Auctions will auction off millions of pounds worth of gold that was seized from a jeweller who evaded more than £7million VAT by smuggling gold into the UK from Dubai.
The precious metal will go to auction this Thursday (October 15) – the first in a series of auctions featuring the seized gold and a range of high value luxury items.
The jeweller was jailed for nine years back in 2012, following an international investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The courts have now ruled that the gold will be sold via public auction and the proceeds of the sale will be paid back into the public purse.
Asset Recovery Department Manager for Wilsons Auctions Ltd, Aidan Larkin, said: “We are delighted to be entrusted with the sale of the gold on HMRC’s behalf. After a very complex international investigation in which the investigators have secured an excellent result, we are delighted to be playing our part in realising the assets and putting money back into the public purse. The auction features everything from 24ct 500g Gold Bars through to lose 22ct jewellery, we have something on offer to suit all buyers and budgets.”
