Police contact clients of Apostle Accounting in Stowmarket

Apostle Accounting, which was based in Stowmarket before it was wound up several months ago, is being probed by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

The company has come under fire from its ex-clients after they were ordered to repay tax refunds they received through the firm, but Apostle has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

A spokesman for ERSOU, which is funded by seven police forces across the East of England, said: "Detectives’ enquiries are ongoing to establish if any offences have been committed, and investigators are in the process of contacting more than 300 people via postal letter to gather statements.

"Anyone who believes they may have been defrauded should contact Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040."

The saga involving Apostle unfolded earlier this year after a number of former clients revealed they had been instructed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to pay back the tax rebates they had previously claimed through the accountancy firm.

Several clients told this newspaper they were left in the dark over what was being claimed for from HMRC on their behalf.

Apostle has strongly denied those claims, while HMRC has said individuals are responsible for their own tax affairs.

The issue has even featured on BBC One's Rip Off Britain consumer rights show.

In October, it emerged that Apostle, founded by Zoe Goodchild in 2012, had been wound up and had appointed DFW Associates of Leeds as liquidator.

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dan Poulter (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

In light of the company winding up, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter said the firm had "a lot to answer for" and that he was "disappointed but not surprised".