It follows an investigation into fraud and money laundering
Some of the items seized(Image: NEROCU)
A huge haul of Apple products and ‘high value items’ from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols were seized after a car was stopped in Manchester, police have said. A number of mobile phones and bank cards were also found inside.
Police said the Apple products were worth ‘thousands of pounds’, with images released also showing pairs of Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin heels were included in the haul. The seizure follows an investigation into fraud and money laundering.
On Thursday (August 28), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) launched an investigation after a report from Northumbria Police of an elderly man in Kenton who had alledgedly been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from his bank.
He was told, said police, there had been fraudulent activity involving his bank account and a courier would attend his home to collect his bank cards, pin number and phone.
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Police said his cards were then used to make cash withdrawals and purchases – estimated to be tens of thousands of pounds.
In a statement, NEROCU said: “Officers were able to identify a suspect and a vehicle involved. Further enquiries showed the car travelling in the Manchester area and thanks to the support of Greater Manchester Police, the car was stopped.
“Searches of the car resulted in the discovery of thousands of pounds worth of Apple products and high value items from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Additionally, police uncovered multiple mobile phones and bank cards.”
A man, 26, and two women, aged 32 and 26, were arrested and charged with false representation, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. The man was also charged with driving while disqualified, having no insurance and licence.
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Police said they are due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 29.
Detective Constable Sophie Snowdon, part of NEROCU’s Proactive Economic Crime Team, said: “Courier Fraud is an abhorrent crime which generally targets the elderly and most vulnerable in our communities. Our subsequent enquiries have led to two further victims being identified in West Yorkshire and Essex and we believe there may be more.
“The harm this type of crime causes is immeasurable, and we will continue to work hard to target criminals who commit such offences.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in this investigation, our partners in Northumbria Police and Greater Manchester Police, this has been a fantastic display of a united police front against suspected fraudsters.”
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