In a significant legal development, a London court has determined that British police have the right to seize in excess of £2 million (around $2.5 million) from the financial accounts linked to controversial online influencer Andrew Tate. Known for his misogynistic views and ostentatious lifestyle, Tate has previously boasted about successfully evading tax obligations in the UK.
The court's findings indicate that Tate and his sibling, Tristan, have not fulfilled their tax responsibilities on revenues exceeding £21 million, accrued from a range of enterprises including online adult entertainment and digital payment services. Currently, both brothers are also confronting serious criminal allegations, notably human trafficking, in Romania.
Judge Paul Goldspring, who presided over the case, deemed the evidence against the brothers compelling, revealing a pattern of "longstanding, deliberate conduct" aimed at evading tax bills. He characterized the situation as "a relatively straightforward case" of tax avoidance.
The authorities from the Devon and Cornwall police department petitioned the court for permission to confiscate funds and cryptocurrency from the Tate brothers' frozen bank accounts, as well as from an anonymous female associate referred to as “J” in the legal documents.
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxing champion turned social media figure, is notorious for his extravagant showcases of wealth, which includes a collection of luxury sports cars. His online presence serves as a platform for disseminating controversial views and alleged tax evasion tactics. Recordings of Tate's remarks were instrumental in the court's judgment. "When I lived in England, I refused to pay tax," he stated in one instance, while in another, he misleadingly claimed that establishing an online business in the UAE would absolve one from tax responsibilities.
