CRA 1G is a private cherished car number plate owned by a fraudster who has been jailed for more than 12 years led a 'pop star' lifestyle, complete with helicopters, fast cars and race horses bought from the proceeds of a multi-million pound VAT scam.
Craig Johnson, 35, from Stone in Staffordshire, was convicted and laundered more than £6m through a complex tax fraud involving the paper importation and exportation of mobile telephones between several EU states.
So-called 'missing trader' or 'carousel' fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers up to £170bn a year - twice the European Union's annual budget.
Johnson is one of 21 people to be jailed in connection with a £138m VAT fraud following an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Mr. Johnson bought the Grade II listed Meaford Hall, in Staffordshire. The beautifully-kept stately home, which is situated in 22 acres of grounds, was the birthplace of the Napoleonic War hero Admiral John Jervis.
Meaford Hall, valued by HMRC at between £2.5m and £3m, is perhaps the most vivid indication of its most recent owner Craig Johnson's ill-gotten wealth.
"It was nice to see the automatic gates opening and see Bentleys coming out of there and Ferraris. Top of the range cars you'd die for," "It was like living next-door to pop stars really." The bentley which adorned personalised number plate CRA 1G was immaculate and top of the range.
Meaford Hall, which will soon to be put up for sale by the tax authorities, was just one of a millionaire's wish-list of assets seized by authorities after the six year fraud investigation. Other assets seized in the operation include a yacht, Rolex watches, diamonds, luxury cars, one bearing the much cherished personalised number plate “CRA 1G” and not one but two helicopters!!
Craig Johnson was at the centre of a scam in which businesses illegally claimed back VAT on imported mobile phones - taxes which they had never paid.
"They construct a fiction of paper movements, and [actual] movements of high value goods such as mobile phones and computer chips," said Euan Stewart, director of operations for HMRC's Criminal Investigations Inspectorate.
"The invoicing relates to hard cash and large amounts of VAT, and at some point in the carousel, somebody goes missing with the money.
"We have to put the carousel of paperwork and phones together with the money and how the money moves," he added.
Craig Johnson's role within the gang was to launder the proceeds of the 'carousel' fraud by buying property, race horses and sports cars.
The funds to pay for them came from bank accounts opened in Hong Kong.
Alan Tune said Johnson was very secretive about the source of his income even to his neighbours. "He never mentioned anything at all. We just knew he was a really wealthy person before he came here."
"That showed because there were helicopters coming in. He was having helicopter lessons and he was often coming over flying those. It was lovely to see."
As well as the landing pad for his two helicopters, Johnson's eight-bedroom mansion also housed a swimming pool and a spa with a gym.
"He was multi-rich but unfortunately, it wasn't his money he was multi-rich with," his neighbour added!! Euan Stewart from HMRC said "We believe, and I think the court has been convinced, that he is a major principal in the organised crime groups that sit behind this fraud."
Johnson was not alone in living the high-life from the proceeds of crime.
His associate, Clive Saunders was also jailed for 11 years for his part in the VAT fraud, which funded the building of another million pound Staffordshire mansion, more sports cars and a helicopter. He used his contacts in the security business to recruit 'front men' for so-called 'missing trader' companies involved in the scam. These companies would buy the imported mobile phones at discounted rates plus VAT, which they then claimed back before disappearing.
The proceeds were then shared amongst all the fraudsters involved along the chain. Craig Johnson's neighbours think whoever is lucky enough to buy the house that tax-payers' money paid for will need a lot of money for its upkeep.
"If you look at the hall now and the grounds to it, I think probably a pop star or something like that'll move in because it's absolutely fabulous," said Alan Tune. "I don't think I've seen any place so nice as it to be quite honest, both inside and out."
