The taxman has set up a new task force to tackle tax dodgers - and its first task will be to focus on restaurants in London, Scotland and the North-west.
Announcing the task force's creation today, HMRC said the restaurants would come under scrutiny in the coming weeks.
The work comes as a result of the Government's £900m spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12. The Government hopes this will help raise and additional £7b a year by 2014/15.
Mike Eland, director general enforcement and compliance, said: "These task forces are a new approach which uses HMRC's resources to identify and tackle rule-breakers and evaders swiftly and effectively.
"Only those who choose to break the rules, or deliberately evade the tax they should be paying, will be targeted. Honest businesses have absolutely nothing to worry about.
"But the message is clear - if you deliberately seek to evade tax, HMRC can and will track you down, and you'll face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well."
HMRC is planning a further nine task forces in 2011/12, with more to follow in 2012/13.
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By Neil Gerrard
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