DUBAI // Two men who owe the British government a combined Dh1.5 billion in tax are believed to be living in Dubai.The pair have been convicted, in their absence, of crimes ranging from tax fraud to smuggling.They are on a list of 30 most-wanted tax dodgers published by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Friday."Our message is clear: tax fraud and evasion is illegal and absolutely unacceptable," said George Osborne, the UK chancellor of the exchequer. "We hope that the publication of HMRC's most-wanted list will help get them caught and ensure they are brought to justice."Among those named this year include British-Pakistani Hussain Asad Chohan, 44, who fled the UK before he was handed an 11-year sentence over a Dh1.1bn fraud.The second, Adam Umerji, 34, received a 12-year sentence for value added tax fraud and six years for money laundering. His crimes cost the UK taxpayer £64m (Dh364m).An update to their cases posted on Friday refers to "intelligence" that both men were in Dubai.
Editor's note (23/09/2026): For later developments in this case, including the 2014 appeal, the 2018 retrial and the 2021 Court of Appeal decision, see this story.
