An Express reporter was met with a furious reaction as he attempted to speak to the violent boss of a London begging gang. Romanian national Iliuta Gruia refused to answer any questions, while others around him screamed and yelled at the Express team.
Confrontation at Marble Arch
One livid woman threw a drink towards reporter James Knuckey as he approached the group lounging in the shadow of Marble Arch, before later flinging her bag towards the Express photographer as anger boiled over. An outraged passerby, who witnessed the tense standoff, pulled over in his van to confront the around dozen-strong group. Gruia stayed largely silent, except for muttering a few words believed to be in Romanian, as the Express repeatedly asked whether he is running a begging gang.
Background of the Ringleader
An investigation by this newspaper previously revealed that Gruia, from Botosani in northern Romania, has been to prison several times and received a restraining order in his home country for wielding an axe and threatening to kill an entire family, including the children. Gruia was previously part of a group that camped out in London’s exclusive Park Lane in 2025.
Current Encampment Location
The group, the vast majority of whom are believed to be Eastern European, have congregated on a small patch of grass at the corner of Park Lane and Oxford Street, metres from Marble Arch. It is understood there are 24-hour security patrols around the area dubbed ‘Billionaire’s Row’ where they previously set up camp. This has seemingly led them to assemble in recent days at the current litter-strewn space next to one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets.
Alleged Operations
Workers along Oxford Street have alleged the group flies in from Romania each year. It is thought the gang’s numbers swell during the peak tourist season in the summer and before Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, before returning home with their boosted coffers. The group spend the night outside Marks and Spencer's flagship department store on Oxford Street. After being told to move on by the morning, they push their belongings in piled-high carts to Marble Arch, where they settle for the day, coming and going as they complete their swindling 'shifts'. Members of the group have been banned from nearby shops after stealing from the shelves.
Police Involvement
Police officers visited the site next to Marble Arch on Tuesday. Two were previously seen by the Express walking out of a supermarket, arms laden with drinks, snacks and shampoo. A security guard, who didn't want to be named, alleged that they sometimes follow customers around the aisles and try to pick their pockets or snatch their phones. On Monday, ringleader Gruia was filmed watching over members of the gang as they gambled. One man could be seen clutching a large wad of notes as he played cards with his pals.
Gruia was nowhere to be seen when the Express visited the group on Tuesday, and gang members denied knowing who he was. The Express also witnessed Metropolitan Police officers descend on the site following complaints from locals about street drinking, public defecation and anti-social behaviour. Group members were told to move on or risk having their belongings seized by police in an operation which also saw officers signposting some to nearby homeless shelters. The group soon moved off, but some returned within 10 minutes.
Ringleader Returns
On Wednesday, Gruia — wearing a blue baseball cap — was seen back at the site. Gruia also did not respond when quizzed about where he had been in recent months.
