Robert Ghement/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockMore than £1m seized from controversial social influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan from bank accounts in Devon will be used to combat violence against women and girls, police have said.
It follows a December 2024 court ruling which found the brothers had not paid tax on £21m of revenue from their online business and had laundered money through bank accounts based in Devon.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruled Devon and Cornwall Police could seize more than £2.9m in money and assets, which included cryptocurrency.
A spokesperson for the force has now said £1m earmarked for local projects will be used to “battle violence against women and girls”.
‘Victim support’
Police are setting up a panel which will decide which projects to help fund.
“Throughout the coming months we intend to show our communities how these funds can make a difference and support our communities in taking a stand against those perpetrating abuse and putting those funds at the heart of victim support,” the spokesperson said.
After the court hearing last year, Devon and Cornwall Police said the brothers channelled money through “front accounts” 2014 and 2022, which constituted criminal activity and rendered those earnings proceeds of crime.
Following the ruling, Andrew Tate said he had been the victim of “the matrix” and “outright theft”.
“It’s a coordinated attack on anyone who dares to challenge the system,” he added.
Andrew Tate, who is a self-proclaimed misogynist is facing criminal and civil legal proceedings in several countries – including the UK – over alleged sexual and human trafficking offences, all of which he denies.
He first rose to fame after an appearance on the British version of reality TV show Big Brother in 2016.
He only lasted six days on the programme, before being removed following the emergence of a video that appeared to show him attacking a woman.
He said at the time that the footage had been edited and was “a total lie trying to make me look bad”.