Two suspected fraudsters have been arrested in a police sting operation, with large knives, a Rolex watch, and a mobile phone seized by officers. The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) executed coordinated warrants in Huddersfield and Manchester on Thursday morning, targeting a courier fraud scheme.
Arrests and Seizures
The two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. They remain in police custody. During the raids, officers seized a Rolex watch, large knives, and a mobile phone, which are believed to be linked to the fraudulent activities.
Courier Fraud Scheme Details
The investigation focused on a courier fraud case where the victim was contacted by someone claiming to be from their bank's fraud department. The caller falsely stated that the victim's card had been used fraudulently and needed to be collected by the bank. The fraudsters then used the card to make several transactions.
Police Statements
NEROCU Detective Sergeant James Woodcock, part of the Proactive Economic Crime Team, said: "This partnership activity clearly demonstrates the resources at our disposal within the ROCU network to tackle all forms of Serious and Organised Crime. I want to thank everyone who worked on these strikes to ensure these two suspects were detained, a fantastic collaborative effort and work that will continue under the banner of Operation Sentinel – our regional approach to disrupting and tackling all forms of Serious and Organised Crime."
NEROCU Detective Constable Sophie Snowdon added: "Remember neither police or bank officials will ever ask you to transfer money, send cash or valuable items for inspection or otherwise. They will never pressure you or rush you and will always support you hanging up and calling from a trusted number from website or bank statement to fact check what they are saying."
Fraud Prevention Advice
This deceptive scam involves fraudsters impersonating authority figures, such as police officers or bank staff, to convince people to hand over money or valuables. Police urge anyone with information about criminal activity to report it to police or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
