UK police secured a legal victory on Wednesday, allowing them to seize over £2 million ($2.5 million) from Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan to settle unpaid taxes. A London court supported the police’s request to seize funds from seven frozen bank accounts in a civil fraud case against the brothers.
The two men, currently in Romania, are also awaiting a Thursday hearing in Bucharest to determine if they will stand trial for human trafficking and rape allegations. The UK civil case, filed by Devon and Cornwall police, focuses on unpaid taxes on £21 million in revenue generated from the brothers’ online businesses between 2014 and 2022.
In the Westminster Magistrates Court, police described the brothers’ financial activities as a deliberate attempt to evade taxes. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remarked that what seemed like a “complex financial matrix” was simply an effort to cheat the UK tax system. Earlier in the case, lawyer Sarah Clarke quoted Andrew Tate from a video where he stated, “When I lived in England I refused to pay tax,” and admitted to intentionally ignoring tax authorities, believing they would eventually “go away.”
The brothers reportedly had numerous UK bank accounts, seven of which are now frozen, through which money was moved around, suggesting tax evasion and potential money laundering. The income came from their online product sales and subscription sites like OnlyFans.
In response, Tate criticized the authorities, claiming that after the collapse of human trafficking accusations against him, they resorted to “outright theft” by freezing his accounts and now attempting to seize his assets. He argued that the actions against him were part of a “coordinated attack” on those who challenge the system.
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, moved to Romania years ago after establishing a webcam business in the UK. He gained worldwide fame as a controversial social media influencer, promoting divisive views and offering success tips, often incorporating misogynistic and violent rhetoric.
In Romania, prosecutors accuse the Tates and two women of running a criminal organization that exploited several victims. However, after an appeal, the Bucharest appeals court instructed prosecutors to revise their indictment and clarify whether the charges would proceed.
Additionally, in August, a Romanian court placed Andrew Tate under house arrest and imposed judicial control on his brother Tristan, pending further investigation into charges involving minors, human trafficking, sexual relations with a minor, and money laundering. The brothers also face rape and assault allegations in separate cases in the UK.
