Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been accused of evading taxes on £21 million earned from their online businesses and OnlyFans accounts, a court heard. Devon and Cornwall Police have brought a civil claim against the brothers and a third person, referred to only as J, over unpaid taxes. The case was presented at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The police are seeking to recover approximately £2.8 million in unpaid taxes from seven frozen bank accounts linked to the brothers. Sarah Clarke KC, representing Devon and Cornwall Police, described Andrew and Tristan Tate as “serial tax and VAT evaders,” particularly highlighting Andrew Tate’s brazen attitude towards tax evasion.
The court was informed that the brothers did not pay any tax in any country on the £21 million revenue generated from their online businesses between 2014 and 2022. Clarke cited a video posted online by Andrew Tate, where he openly admitted, “When I lived in England I refused to pay tax.” He reportedly adopted an approach of “ignore, ignore, ignore because in the end they go away.”
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer and social media influencer, is also awaiting trial in Romania on separate criminal charges, including human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
During the hearing, Clarke stated that the evidence showed the brothers made approximately £21 million in revenue from their e-products and digital services, including OnlyFans, but did not pay any tax or VAT in any jurisdiction. She added that the brothers never registered for tax or VAT, except for one declaration in Romania for a company called Talisman Enterprises, which she described as a “work of fiction.”
Clarke highlighted that Andrew Tate often brags about his wealth in web interviews, and the brothers are known to enjoy luxurious lifestyles, including owning properties and vehicles. She argued that one reason they could afford such lifestyles was their belief that they did not have to pay taxes.
The court also heard that the brothers had numerous bank accounts in the UK, seven of which have been frozen. Clarke explained that money was “washed around UK bank accounts” to create a complex trail, making it difficult to determine what was owed to the tax authorities. She described this as typical of tax evasion and money laundering.
Almost $12 million was reportedly paid into one account in just over three years. This account was opened in J’s name in 2019 using an incorrect date of birth, despite J having no role in the Tate brothers’ businesses. Clarke suggested that this was a deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the money they intended to handle in a criminal manner.
The court heard that revenues were generated from schemes such as Cobratate, Hustlers University, and The War Room. J also moved money through their own account, including a payment of £805,000 to their Revolut account. Of this amount, £495,000 was paid to Andrew Tate, and £75,000 to an account in J’s name, which was later converted to cryptocurrency.
Gary Pons, representing J, argued that the funds in the Gemini account were in cryptocurrency and therefore could not be frozen at that time. The Tates are accused of failing to pay taxes due in both the UK and Romania.
The proceedings are civil, which means the standard of proof is lower than in criminal cases. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring will decide on the balance of probabilities whether the police’s claims are true. Martin Evans KC, representing the brothers, is expected to present their case during the two-day hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The hearing continues.
Source: The Independent, The Guardian, Sky News
