With all the sleight of hand of a political magician who, in a puff of smoke (screen), can instantaneously transmute the humble passport into a multi million pound investment, David Copperfield, that international master of illusion , this week failed to bamboozle Russian tax authorities who suspect some magic dust has clouded financial returns from the entertainer's recent demonstrations in Moscow.

Tax officials claim that, unbeknown to the US magician, his Russian business representatives may have spirited away a sackload of roubles from his series of shows last month. The head of the tax service said that, on the basis of submitted accounts, it would appear there were lots of empty seats in concert halls but according to officials who monitored the tour most of the shows were jam-packed. Copperfield has, through his hypnotic perception-altering powers, convinced audiences that both a jumbo jet and the Statue of Liberty have disappeared before their eyes . A tax spokesman said that, when investigations are complete, notification of Copperfield's earnings in Russia may be sent to the US revenue service who have "enough tricks up their own sleeves to see through any accountancy illusion ".