The mastermind of a fake designer clothing scam has been convicted of one of the UK’s largest ever carousel tax frauds.

Sock manufacturer Arif Patel, 55, of Preston, and his criminal gang tried to steal £97 million through VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and mobile phones.

They also imported and sold counterfeit clothes that would have been worth at least £50 million, had they been genuine. The proceeds were used t...