Five people from the West Midlands and one from Dorset have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in an estimated £200,000 Self Assessment fraud.

HMRC has reported this morning that four men and one woman were arrested by its officers yesterday.

These occurred at four different residential addresses in Birmingham, Dudley, Stourbridge and Dorchester.

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Another man voluntarily attended a police station in Wolverhampton where he was arrested.

They were all questioned on suspicion of claiming false repayments on their Self Assessment returns between 2011 and 2015.

Richard Wentel, assistant director, criminal investigation, at HMRC, said: “This action sends a firm message to anyone involved in or considering fraud against HMRC.

“We will not hesitate to investigate those suspected of stealing money from vital public services.

“Anyone with information about people who may be involved in tax fraud can contact the Tax Evasion Hotline on 0800 788 887.”

The six people were questioned and bailed until December 2015. Investigations into the suspected fraud continue.

Details of the arrests that took place on 3 June:

• A 36-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were arrested at a residential address in Birmingham, West Midlands
• A 36-year-old man from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, was arrested after voluntarily attending a local police station
• A 44-year-old man was arrested at a residential address in Stourbridge, West Midlands
• A 32-year-old man was arrested at an address in Dudley, West Midlands
• A 32-year-old man was arrested at an address in Dorchester, Dorset