Gold haul seized by HMRC set for ₤750,000 auction

8 gold bars seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and valued at almost ₤750,000, are being auctioned off with proceeds going back into the public purse. Weighing around 16kg altogether; equivalent to the weight of an adult Staffordshire Bull Terrier; the bars were seized at Manchester Airport in November 2018. They were concealed in a lunchbox of a passenger's hand luggage destined for Dubai. The ingots was valued at more than ₤750,000 in current gold prices and, was sold by Wilsons Auctions, on Thursday, 3 September 2020.

HMRC investigators used new civil proceeds of crime powers for the 1st time to apply for forfeiture of the bars, which was granted by Manchester and Salford Magistrates, on 2 July 2020. The 2017 Criminal Finance Act now enables 'listed assets,' including precious metals, seized using Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to be subjected to forfeiture in the same way as cash deemed to be from the proceeds of crime.

Gill Hilton, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:- "This is the 1st time HMRC has used these powers to seize and forfeit a listed asset, and it should act as a deterrent to criminals looking to trade assets such as precious metals. If they are the proceeds of crime or intended for unlawful conduct, we now have the powers to take them from criminals and use the money for public services. The money raised through the auction will go straight back into the public purse, to be spent on vital services such as hospitals and Schools. We are determined to cut off the funds that finance serious crime in the UK. In the last year alone, HMRC has recovered more than ₤166 million of illicit proceeds using its civil and criminal proceeds of crime powers. I would urge anyone with information on fraud to report it to HMRC on Gov.UK, or call our fraud hotline on:- 0800788887."

Michael Streight, Government Sales Coordinator, Wilsons Auctions, said:- "Wilsons Auctions is delighted to once again be realising a significant amount of 24ct gold bars on behalf of HMRC through its upcoming Online Luxury Assets Auction. Having successfully sold over ₤1 million worth of gold for HMRC in a previous auction, we are proud to continue realising these luxury seized assets, with the money raised ultimately going back into the public purse."

HMRC always looks to recover the proceeds of crime from those who try to cheat the system. Since the creation of our dedicated Proceeds of Crime unit three years ago, we have recovered more than ₤700 million for the public purse, seizing everything from cash to jewellery to luxury cars.

Crosby Camera Club takes its meeting online for start of a new season this September

CROSBY Camera Club has announced that its new season will recommence in September 2020, with meetings being held online for the moment. Rather than holding weekly meetings in Crosby Library, the club has decided to host fortnightly talks via Zoom.

Steve Sefton, President of Crosby Camera Club, said:- "Due to the ongoing pandemic we've taken the decision to move our meetings online for the wellbeing of all our members and visiting speakers. Things may look a little different at our meetings this year, but we'll still be offering the same mixture of informative and instructional talks, coupled with the chance to enter your best images into monthly competitions. New members are welcome to join us via the comfort of their home computers, laptops or mobile devices."

Crosby Camera Club has put together an exciting schedule of talks this autumn, with events so far scheduled through to December 2020. The club will then make a decision on whether to return to in-person meetings from January 2021, depending on the Covid19 situation at that time.

1 benefit of hosting online lectures is that the club can book exciting photographers from across the UK, rather than just the North West.

The 1st 'virtual' club night of the season takes place from 8pm to 10pm, on Wednesday, 9 September 2020, with award winning Photographer, David Keep, from Derbyshire, who will be explaining how to advance your photography from taking single images to building a project to be proud of.

This talk is followed up on 23 September 2020 with an annual tradition; President's Night; hosted by the club's new president, Steve Sefton. Meetings will occur fortnightly on Wednesdays from 8-10pm for at least the rest of 2020. If you'd like to join the camera club or try it out to see if it is for you, please contact the club secretary, Karen Redfern, on:- 0151 931 3515 or email:- KarenRedfern@BTConnect.Com.

Further details about Crosby Camera Club's new season, including details of upcoming talks and competitions, are available at the club's website:- CrosbyCameraClub.Net.