NFTs peaked in 2021 and have become a trend for brands and the general public. Legislation has also become a common regulatory talking point as its popularity and use cases have increased. These regulatory discussions are widespread and aligned with traditional financial markets.

Three NFTs Seized in VAT Fraud Case

According to a report on February 14, the UK tax authorities have arrested three people on suspicion of tax evasion using shell companies and false identities.

The UK’s main tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has seized three non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in connection with alleged tax evasion scams.

The Inspectorate claims it is the first UK law enforcement agency to confiscate NFTs. According to the BBC, the NFT seizure was accompanied by the arrest of three people suspected of using various sophisticated means of tax evasion.

The suspects arrested in the case are said to have used fake identities to set up 250 shell companies to evade £1.4 million (US$1.8 million) in Value Added Tax (VAT).

HMRC obtained a court order to confiscate the suspect’s $6,765 (£5,000) digital assets and three NFTs. Nick Sharp, Deputy Director at HMRC, said the recent confiscations of NFTs and digital assets in tax fraud cases are a warning to those looking to hide their funds from tax authorities.

He stated that they are constantly adapting to new technologies to ensure they keep up with the way criminals and scammers are hiding their assets.

While tax authorities’ warnings to the public are routine, it’s important to note that confiscated digital assets and NFTs are confiscated as assets, which is common in tax evasion cases, so authorities can recover losses after a court case. These confiscated digital assets and collectibles were not themselves used as tools of crime.