Tax conman using dead film producers' identities lands in jail

Sri-Lankan-born Damita Nikapota made a number of fraudulent VAT repayment claims via his Los Angeles-based film company, AS Productions, for films supposedly costing a total of £11m, including a British film 'The Flying Scotsman'. The conman impersonated other Hollywood producers - some of whom are dead - when contacting HMRC over the years since 2006, in order to validate and progress his claims. HMRC said he is believed to have spent the proceeds of his crime on a luxurious Hollywood lifestyle, which included a Spanish-style villa in Malibu and extensive travel to places such as the...