Reaction: 'Patel lived a lavish life at the expense of the majority'

Richard Las, director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: "Arif Patel lived a lavish lifestyle at the expense of the law-abiding majority, but he will now lose the property empire he amassed from the proceeds of crime.

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"Our work never stops at conviction. For the last two years we've worked with police and CPS partners to secure one of the biggest criminal confiscations we've ever recovered.

"Tens of millions of pounds of stolen money will now go back to directly fund public services."

Mark Winstanley, Assistant Chief Constable, Lancashire Constabulary, said: "Arif Patel was the head of a Preston-based Organised Crime Group responsible for causing millions of pounds worth of losses to multiple companies.