Search Here

A British court has given the police a go signal to seize more than $3.3 million (£2.6 million) from influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, due to unpaid taxes.

The money, held in seven frozen bank accounts, is being claimed by the Devon and Cornwall Police. The court heard how the Tates, along with a woman identified only as "J," attempted to avoid paying taxes by transferring nearly $12 million into an account in J's name. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled that these actions were a "straightforward cheat" of tax authorities.

According to AP News, the brothers are alleged to have evaded tax on $26 million (£21 million) earnings from their online businesses, such as Cobra Tate, War Room, Only Fans, etc., between 2014 and 2022. A lawyer who represents the police said that Tates are "serial" tax evaders who had avoided paying taxes. This case has received much attention as the Tates are infamous for their controversial statements and businesses.

Andrew Tate is one frustrated fellow after the court pronounced a verdict. He termed his frozen accounts and seized property "outright theft." In one interview, he said he would not have been placed at the receiving end of attempts to silence him since what the government was basically after was those who had decided to question the established norms. Tate's social media assertions have been widely condemned recently, especially after he claimed online that he refused to pay taxes when he was still staying in the UK.

At a July hearing, Andrew Tate's lawyer argued that the large transfers to J's account were completely legitimate for someone running online businesses. The defense also pointed out that the brothers had spent their money on expensive luxury cars, which they claimed were not illegal. However, the court had to decide if there was enough evidence to prove tax evasion, which in civil cases has a lower standard of proof than in criminal trials.

Tate and his brother have serious criminal charges in Romania, including human trafficking and the formation of a criminal gang to exploit women, The New York Times reported. They have denied all the allegations and are awaiting extradition to the UK after their criminal trials in Romania are over.