File on 4 Investigates

The Government’s anti-corruption champion Dame Margaret Hodge has accused one of the UK’s most prolific tax fraudsters of “abusing the justice system”. Arif Patel, originally from Preston but now on the run in Dubai, led a gang running an elaborate carousel fraud operation, stealing tens of millions of pounds. It worked by using using sham companies to move goods in and out of the country to generate false VAT refunds.
In 2023, he was convicted in his absence of tax fraud, money-laundering, false accounting and selling counterfeit goods. Last year a judge ordered Patel to repay £90.5m he’d gained through criminal activity. He is challenging that at the Court of Appeal, despite being on the run.
Criminals defrauding the tax system costs the UK billions of pounds in lost revenue each year.
File on 4 Investigates hears how those who investigated him are frustrated that he's still evading justice.
Presented by Ben Robinson
Producer: Alys Harte
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Tara McDermott
Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster
Production Management Assistant: Tim Fernley
Image Credit: HMRC Handout.

File on 4 Investigates reveals the global criminal networks flooding the UK with fake cigarettes. We trace the supply chain smuggling the counterfeits across borders and lay bare the human cost as vulnerable people are moved across continents and made to work and live in clandestine factories here in the UK.
We reveal how a secret factory capable of making up to a quarter of a billion cigarettes a year was recently uncovered in the UK and join Belgian customs as they raid a factory making cigarettes bound for the British market. A former senior official in Europol tells us criminal gangs are now making as much money from fake cigarettes as drugs.
Presenter: Jane Deith
Producer: Paul Grant
Production Management: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Tara McDermott

The number of children taken into care before they reach their first birthday is at a worryingly and persistently high level, according to new figures. In many of those cases it is unsafe for parents to look after their children - but experts believe that a significant number of those babies might not have gone into care, if the right support was in place.
This programme investigates the support birth families receive and how much of a voice they are given once care proceedings begin. Figures suggest that most children who go on to be adopted are taken into care as babies. Ninety percent of adoptions happen without the written consent of birth parents. It’s led to some using the term ‘modern day forced adoption’ and to calls for a debate about the system.
File on 4 Investigates hears about one project in Salford which has been praised for the support it gives to birth families, cutting the number of children going into care and being adopted. In response to our findings Adoption England say that the process provides "children with a permanent, stable and loving family" adding that "Without adoption, the vast majority of these children will remain in care throughout their childhood and, as extensive research shows" they experience "significantly worse outcomes".
The government says it is putting £2.4bn into “transforming the children’s social care system” in England and say they want to increase support for children to stay with their family wherever possible.
Presenter: Judith Moritz
Senior Producers: Claire Kendall & Ashley Kennedy
Production Co-ordinators: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Tara McDermott
For details of organisations which offer advice and information with adoption and fostering, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Image: Jean and Tye, who is now an adult, are back in contact.

"Tinderbox"conditions created by a long, hot, dry summer brought a record number of wildfires in 2026. Dozens of homes were destroyed or damaged, huge areas of land burned, and one man died. But experts are warning there may be worse to come in future as climate change makes conditions for wildfires in the UK even more likely. The Government banned disposable barbecues in the summer, sent out a wildfire alert to people's mobile phones, and is now planning to hold a wildfire summit. File on 4 Investigates looks at whether the country is prepared for the growing threat, and if the emergency services have the resources to cope.
Presenter: Adrian Goldberg
Producer: Fergus Hewison
Production Co-ordinators: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Tara McDermott

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light moved into a former orphanage in Crewe in 2021. It’s American-born leader Abdullah Hashem has declared himself the Madhi or saviour. But earlier this year, 500 police officers raided the organisation's headquarters, leading to protests in the town throughout the summer. File on 4 Investigates follows the group’s journey from Egypt through Europe to discover what brought them to the UK.
Presented by Hayley Mortimer & Emir Nader.
Archive: The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light / AROPL Studios.