The Snail Farm Don: Is This the Most Brazen Tax Avoidance Scheme of All Time?
Terry Ball, a shoe salesman known as a friend to former mafiosi, has embarked on a venture aiming to exploit tax laws through snail farming. This initiative, dubbed a "snail empire," serves as a vehicle for aggressive tax avoidance schemes.
The Guardian Audio Long Read, written by Jim Waterson, investigates Ball's story to assess whether it represents the most brazen tax avoidance scheme ever. The piece critically examines the authorities' responses to such high-profile attempts at evading taxes.
Narrated by Nicholas Camm and produced by Nicola Alexandrou with executive producer Ellie Bury, the podcast uses a narrative format to explore the complexities of Ball's tax strategies. Published on 15 December 2025, the article also includes a text version of the long read and is part of The Guardian's coverage of tax avoidance.
