SDLT fraud lands London conveyancer in jail

A conveyancer from Harrow, London, who defrauded his clients and HM Revenue & Customs out of almost £352,500 in stamp duty land tax, has been jailed for three years and four months.

Anthony Maragh (57) submitted returns undervaluing his clients’ properties in order to reduce the amount of tax owed, but charged them the full amount and kept the difference.

Between 2008 and 2013, he underdeclared the SDLT due on 43 property transactions, transferring £297,000 directly from his company accounts into his personal bank account, and spending a further £55,000 directly from the client account on collectable antique Chinese gold bonds.

Sentencing Maragh, Her Honour Judge Poulet said: “This was repeated offending and an abuse of position and trust with a large number of victims exposed to risk."

Confiscation proceedings to recover the proceeds of crime are underway.