HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigators proved the pair laundered more than £8.5m through 118 bank accounts, credit cards and cryptocurrency trading platforms.
The men imported and sold products containing dangerously high levels of hydrogen peroxide through UK Teeth Whitening Ltd and IBAR Trading Ltd, which operated from the Seychelles and Hong Kong.
More than £3.4m of the stolen money was funnelled through accounts held at Euro Pacific Bank in Puerto Rico.
The bank was shut down in 2022 following investigations by the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico.
WhatsApp messages recovered from the men’s phones showed them boasting, including one from Barnes that said: “In a few hours, we’ll be in 1st class” and “platinum luggage tags, that’s how UK Teeth Whitening roll.”
The messages also revealed they knew they were supplying dangerous products and could face prison if they were caught by HMRC.
In an exchange, Barnes wrote: “They said they used it for 30 minutes and it’s taken the enamel off their teeth – dentist said they need new teeth.”
Ramage added: “We’re on the first plane out of here if they [HMRC] come knocking. We’re talking millions and years in jail.”
Barnes, from Formby, was sentenced to four years and four months, while Ramage, who had moved to Portugal, was jailed for four years and six months.