Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, are set to forfeit over £2 million ($2.5 million) to UK authorities after a London court ruled in favor of police in a civil fraud case concerning unpaid taxes.
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday at Westminster Magistrates Court, grants Devon and Cornwall Police the authority to seize funds from seven frozen bank accounts linked to the brothers.
The case highlights alleged tax evasion on £21 million in earnings from their online businesses between 2014 and 2022.
During the hearing, police lawyer Sarah Clarke cited a video in which Andrew Tate, a former professional kickboxer, admitted, “When I lived in England, I refused to pay tax,” and detailed a strategy to “ignore, ignore, ignore because in the end they go away.” Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed the defense’s claims, labeling their financial operations a “straightforward cheat” of UK tax authorities.
The siblings’ revenue streams reportedly included earnings from products sold online and subscription services like OnlyFans.
The court heard that their UK accounts had substantial sums of money that were moved around in a manner consistent with tax evasion and money laundering.
While the UK case proceeds, the brothers remain in Romania, where they face criminal charges of human trafficking and rape.
A Bucharest court is set to decide on Thursday whether the two can stand trial.
Andrew Tate, who relocated to Romania after running a webcam business in the UK, has gained notoriety for his controversial views and social media presence, which has amassed millions of followers.
The judgment in London adds to the growing legal challenges for the Tates, whose divisive online personas have been under intense scrutiny.
The police’s victory in the UK civil case underscores ongoing efforts to hold the brothers accountable for their financial dealings.
With frozen assets and pending trials, the legal troubles of Andrew and Tristan Tate appear far from over.
This development adds another layer to the public narrative surrounding the controversial influencer, whose self-styled success tips and inflammatory statements have sparked global debates.