A man who randomly attacked six passers-by with a screwdriver in Lower Thames Street and Eastcheap last year was sentenced at the Old Bailey to be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.
At lunchtime on 16 March 2012 Giovanni Amorosi entered the City armed with various weapons and proceeded to attack six members of the public, stabbing them with a screwdriver. Some injuries were serious, luckily none were life threatening.
While City Police responded to the incident, two on-duty plain clothes Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers, who were driving by, stopped at one of the scenes and spoke with members of the public. They chased after Amorosi, tackling him on Eastcheap as members of the City Police assisted. Amorosi was detained at the scene, arrested and taken to Bishopsgate Police Station where he was subsequently sectioned.
Detective Chief Inspector John Osibote said: “This dangerous man was initially contained by two plain clothed MPS officers who happened to be passing in an unmarked patrol car. City of London uniform colleagues quickly assisted in preventing the man causing any further harm to himself or the public.
“The professionalism of all officers who assisted in safely apprehending him and preventing any further harm were a credit to their teams.”
Officers from the force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took charge of the investigation which led to Amorosi being charged with numerous assaults and possession of two offensive weapons.
At the start of the trial, having initially pleaded not guilty (by reason of insanity), he was advised to plead guilty to two assaults, as well as two counts of ABH, a common assault and an attempted assault, as well as to possession of an offensive weapon.
The change of plea was due to the combination of the wealth of evidence gathered during the CID investigation and both the prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreeing that Amorosi was severely mentally ill.
Amorosi was immediately sentenced to be detained indefinitely until deemed suitably fit and well enough to be reintegrated into society.
He was returned to the secure mental health unit for continued treatment.
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Detained indefinitely
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Two men jailed as Birkenhead families who made up car crash to con insurer are sentenced
Two families who colluded to create a fictitious car crash in an attempt to con £77,000 from an insurer have today been sentenced – with two men handed 12 month jail terms.
Kenneth Nash, Victoria Taylor, Claire Southall, David Southall, Darren Gallimore, Tracey Gallimore and Colin Davies, all from Birkenhead, had previously admitted to fabricating the ‘accident’ and then submitting bogus claims to esure for whiplash injuries and damage to their vehicles.
Kenneth Nash reported to his insurer that his Rover had crashed into the back of a BMW that was waiting at traffic lights on Old Courthouse Road in the Wirral area in March 2011. His partner at the time, Victoria Taylor, her sister Clare Southall and sister’s husband David Southall also reported that they were riding in the Rover.
Claims were subsequently made against esure by the driver of the BMW Darren Gallimore, his wife Tracey Gallimore and her brother Colin Davies declaring that they were in the BMW when it was hit.
The Southalls, the Gallimores and Colin Davies all subsequently submitted personal injury claims, supported by medical reports. Victoria Taylor also submitted a personal injury claim. Kenneth Nash and Darren Gallimore both claimed for damage to their cars as well as vehicle recovery costs. Gallimore also claimed for car hire replacement costs.
However their scam started to unravel when the insurer established through a social networking site that Kenneth Nash and Darren Gallimore knew each other. Further proof of the conspiracy came when a forensic examination of the Rover and BMW revealed that the cars had not crashed into each other in the way described to the insurer.
In January 2012 the insurer made a referral to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
IFED detectives travelled to Liverpool four times between June 2012 and February 2013 and arrested Kenneth Nash, Darren Gallimore, Tracey Gallimore, Claire Southall, Colin Davies and Victoria Taylor. They also interviewed David Southall.
Everyone other than Victoria Taylor were subsequently charged with, and pleaded guilty to, an offence of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Victoria Taylor was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, an offence of perverting the course of justice.
Det Sgt Tom Finnegan, of IFED, said: “These fraudsters kept it in the family in a bid to make some cash.
“But the weight of the evidence gathered against them by the insurer, coupled with our investigation, saw them all come unstuck.”
Matt Gilham, Head of Financial Crime at esure, commented: "Where we find evidence of fraud we will work with law enforcement agencies including IFED to get the perpetrators to court.
“Convictions such as this are crucial in sending out a message to other would be fraudsters who think they can make a quick buck from insurance fraud.”
Earlier today (Friday 13 September 2013) at Liverpool Crown Court, the following sentences were given:
Kenneth Nash, 35, of Rosedale Road, Birkenhead, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Darren Gallimore, 38, of Morecroft Road, Birkenhead, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
David Southall, 40, of The Woodlands, Birkenhead, was handed a nine month jail term suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work.
Colin Davies, 32, of Ionic Street, Birkenhead, was handed a nine month jail term suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work.
Claire Southall, 36, of The Woodlands, Birkenhead, was given a nine month jail term suspended for two years. She was also made the subject of a 12 month supervision order.
Tracey Gallimore, 34, of Morecroft Road, Birkenhead, was given a nine month jail term suspended for two years. She was also made the subject of a 12 month supervision order.
Victoria Taylor, 31, of Hartnup Way, Birkenhead, was made the subject of a two year community and supervision order.
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Protect yourself from fraud
City of London Police is inviting the public to attend three free workshops the force is running on 7th and 8th October to raise awareness of common scams and ways to avoid being a victim of fraud.
Fraud affects people in every community. People who live and/or work in the City are no exception. Understanding the threat from fraud and taking simple steps to protect yourself will reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
Those attending the free workshops will hear about,
Common fraud threats in the City
The tell-tale signs of different types of fraud
How to avoid becoming a victim
What you can do if you’ve been a victim
The City of London Police is the national lead force for fraud, and the Economic Crime Directorate is dedicated to preventing and investigating fraud at all levels.
Several officers from the Directorate will be speaking at the workshops. They will provide an insight into the work they do and share their fraud prevention advice.
For further information about the workshops please view the agenda.
Places are strictly limited, so register now, using the booking form, to reserve your place
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Alcohol Awareness Week – Protect yourself, your friends and your property
This week the City of London Police will be supporting a National Alcohol Awareness Week, highlighting the need for people to drink responsibly.
Inspector McKoy, from City of London Police Licensing Team, said: “The Square Mile is a great place to come for a night out or a quiet drink after work. “However, you need to remember that criminals also operate in the City and will target people who appear distracted or vulnerable – whether that’s because they have drunk too much, are on their own, or are a tourist that doesn’t know the area. “ Throughout this week-long campaign, the Licensing Team will be carrying out a variety of activities aimed at preventing crime and raising awareness of responsible drinking. The team will be working in partnership with Safer City Partnership, St John’s Ambulance, UK Border Agency, Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC. Officers will be carrying out talks at local schools and universities and raising the awareness of drinking responsibly to students.They will also be focusing on unlicensed taxis, engaging with licensees and setting up a ‘triage’ centre on Friday 20th. The triage centre will be held at Paternoster Row from 8pm. Officers from the force’s Licensing Team and St John’s Ambulance will be on hand to provide safety advice and help people get home safely after their night in the City.Protect yourself, your friends and your propertyFollow these simple tips and stay safe on your night outDo
Know your limit. Know how much you can drink before you lose control.
Look after your property. Use the cloakroom to store your property safely.
Try to alternate your drinks. With every alcoholic drink, have a non-alcoholic drink.
Plan ahead. Know how you are going to get home safely, plan your route and mode of transport. Visit the ffL website for travel updates http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Don’t
Leave your drink unattended. Watch your drinks at all times to avoid it being spiked.
Give thieves an opportunity – don’t leave your property unattended.
Use unlicensed taxis. It’s not worth the risk. Stay safe and book a licensed cab or get a black cab.
End your night in the back of a police van or ambulance. When you have reached your limit STOP!
Find out more on twitter and YouTube
Each day this week the force will be releasing a new video on the force You Tube channel, showing how you can enjoy a night out in the Square Mile whilst protecting yourself from crime.The force will be tweeting links to these videos throughout the week as well as crime prevention tips and advice about drinking responsibly. Please remember, excessive drinking increases the likelihood of someone committing a crime - or becoming a victim of one.
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St John Ambulance sets up Friday night centre
St. John’s Ambulance will be located in the City of London tonight (Friday 20 September) as part of the Licensing Team’s ‘alcohol awareness week’.The triage centre will be located at St. Paul’s Churchyard (adjacent to the Crypt) from 2000hrs to the early hours of Saturday morning.Volunteers from St John’s Ambulance will be on hand to provide basic first aid and safety advice as and when members of the public visit them during their night out in the City.If members of the public in that locality require basic first aid and are able to take themselves to that location then they are to be advised to do so.Read more about Alcohol Awareness Week
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Fraud squad carbon credit arrests in the City
City of London Police detectives have arrested six men as part of an investigation into a suspected ‘boiler room’ operating from the Square Mile selling carbon credits.
It is believed that the boiler room has already accumulated approximately a million pounds from cold calling people across the UK. Using high pressurised sales tactics, carbons credits are sold for over inflated prices that are not capable of generating the returns promised.
The morning operation saw fraud squad detectives descend on a City office. Searches were later carried out in properties across the south east.
DI Teresa Russell, who is leading the investigation, said: “In 2013 the City of London Police has targeted a number of City offices housing what we believe are criminal operations intent on defrauding elderly and vulnerable people out of large sums of money, some of whom have parted with their life savings.
“We will take action against criminals involved in this type of scam, close down their operations, holding those responsible to account.”
The City of London Police advises people not to accept cold calls and always seek independent advice before committing to any financial investment.
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Premier League and NFIB urge fans to steer clear of counterfeit kits
The Premier League and National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) are urging fans to steer clear of counterfeit goods that are being produced on a massive scale in their clubs name.
Last year the Premier League seized 158,000 items, worth £2.6million, with club shirts topping the league table of fake products being sold on the streets and, increasingly, online.
The NFIB, which is a part of the City of London Police, warn that the proceeds of football related counterfeiting are being used by organised crime groups to fund other parts of their operations, including guns, drugs and human trafficking.
Club shirts are typically being sold for less than half their normal market value, but on inspection are often found to be low quality products.
Other fake football related goods that are being sold on stalls and in shops and on a growing number websites include items such as mobile phone cases, scarves and badges.Working with the Premier League is the latest step being taken by the City of London Police to target counterfeiters, in particular those operating online.
Since Autumn 2012 the NFIB has been the UK lead for ‘Operation in your Eyes’; an international alliance involving Europol, EU member states and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, targeting criminals selling fake goods on websites.
In September the force launched the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), with funding allocated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). PIPCU will be working in partnership with industry sectors and national and international law enforcement to combat the growing threat posed by online counterfeiting and piracy. Visit PIPCU website
John Unsworth, Head of Intelligence at the NFIB, said:
“Buying a counterfeit shirt for yourself or your kids will save you a few quid in the short term, but the reality is you are likely to be buying a poor product that will quickly start to show signs of wear. At the same time you could be putting money straight into the pockets of organised crime and helping fund their wider operations”.
“If you want to show your support for your team in what you wear or carry it is important to buy from authorised retailers, both when shopping on the street or online, and stay well away from the stalls and websites pushing fake football related goods. ”The Premier League said:
“We don’t want to see Premier League club fans being ripped off by paying for counterfeit goods that are poor in quality. The manufacturers of fake Premier League club merchandise are often linked to other forms of organised crime and fans who purchase their products could be inadvertently funding other criminal activity. “If fans have any doubts about whether a retailer is selling official merchandise please contact the Premier League at legal@premierleague.com”
If you know of people selling counterfeit goods please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and if you have fallen victim to counterfeiters please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk. In addition consumers can report counterfeiting via the ACG www.a-cg.com website and the consumer website Brand-i.
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Fire Brigade Union dispute: Contingency service in operation
A contingency level of fire and rescue services consisting of up to 27 fire engines operated by trained contractors is in place to deal with more serious incidents across all of the London boroughs, including the City of London.
London Fire Brigade has launched a community campaign Take Extra Care giving tips and advice on fire prevention.
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Family release picture of cyclist who died at the weekend
The family of the cyclist, who died on Sunday (22 Sept), following a collision with a tipper truck the previous weekend have released a picture.Maria Karsa, from North London, suffered serious crush injuries in the crash, which happened on Sunday September 15th at 7.55am at the Dukes Place - Aldgate junction. She was put on life support at the Royal London Hospital.Over the weekend she succumbed to her injuries and sadly died at 8pm on Sunday evening. A post-mortem will be conducted at the City of London Coroners Court tomorrow (Sep 26) and an inquest will take place at a later date. The City of London Police is now investigating a fatal road traffic collision and no arrests have been made. Maria’s family have now asked that their privacy be respected. The force is currently supporting a new task force to tackle Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) safety in London, which also includes personnel from the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and the Department for Transport. The task force is dedicated to raising awareness of safety requirements for vehicles and drivers and will take enforcement action against the minority of dangerous operators, vehicles and drivers in London.
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Jail for woman who told three police forces she had been robbed to con insurers out of £50k
A woman who reported to three different police forces that she had been robbed of cash, electronics and designer items in an attempt to get £50,000 from bogus travel and home insurance claims has today (Thursday 26 September 2013) been jailed.
Anita Debnath made reports to police in London, Leeds and Dublin before submitting a total of 12 identical claims to 11 insurers for cash and personal items, namely an Asus laptop, Chloé handbag, Louis Vuitton purse, Blackberry Bold 9900 and Motorola Aura.
In February 2012, Debnath told the Metropolitan Police Service she had been robbed close to London’s Trafalgar Square, before making a claim to an insurer.
A month later, she reported to West Yorkshire Police that she had fallen victim to robbers in Leeds city centre, later submitting a claim to three further insurers.
In June, while on holiday in Dublin, she informed the Garda that she had been robbed, prior to entering a claim with seven other insurers.
One month on, she contacted the Metropolitan Police Service and stated she had been robbed again, this time in Kingston upon Thames, before making another claim to the insurer she had contacted in February.
To make her claims appear genuine, the 44-year-old sent the insurers a copy of the relevant police report.
Her deception was exposed when an insurer identified the claim Debnath submitted to them as fraudulent and passed them onto the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
In August, IFED detectives arrested Debnath at her flat on Haymarket in London. A search of her home revealed insurance claims documents, an Asus laptop and the police reports supplied to the insurers.
During the course of their investigation, the detectives liaised with the three police forces Debnath had reported robberies to and found no evidence of the crimes having ever happened.
Debnath subsequently pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud by false representation.
Earlier today at the Old Bailey she was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
DC Cynthia Rushie, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “In a bid to avoid detection, Debnath spread her reports out across two countries, three police forces and 11 insurers.
“Unfortunately for her the new reality for fraudsters is that IFED is working in alliance with insurers and police forces to clamp down on people who still think they can make easy money at someone else’s expense, with little or no risk of ever being brought to justice.”
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Insurance claims handler who stole £40k from employer is jailed
A Birmingham insurance claims handler who stole more than £40,000 from his employer before laundering the money through his friends’ bank accounts has today (Thursday 26 September 2013) been jailed.
Ravinder Malhi added his friends as beneficiaries to legitimate car insurance claims and over a three year period issued them with 11 fraudulent cheques.
Mohammed Kawsar, Syed Islam and Shezhad Ladha each received a cheque from Malhi which they cashed before splitting the proceeds with him – they were handed suspended prison terms earlier today.
Malhi was rumbled in March 2012 when his employer noticed a £7,000 cheque had been issued to Kawsar and made a report to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).
Soon after IFED detectives travelled to Birmingham and arrested Malhi at work.
Kawsar, Islam and Ladha were arrested at a later stage along with three other men and a woman.
Malhi subsequently pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud by abuse of position while Kawsar, Islam and Ladha each admitted a count of money laundering.
At the Old Bailey Malhi, aged 28, of North Drive in Birmingham, was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
Kawsar, aged 21, of Rochchester Street in the Chatham area of Kent, and Islam, also aged 21, of Bramble Dell in Birmingham, were both given a four month jail term suspended for 12 months and ordered to undertake 120 hours unpaid work. Ladha, aged 21, of Berridge Road in Nottingham, was given a eight month jail term suspended for 18 months and was ordered to undertake 180 hours unpaid work.
The three other men arrested were each given a police caution. No further action was taken against the woman arrested.
DC Andy Jackson, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Malhi thought his insider knowledge would enable him to get away with funnelling off funds from his employer through cheques sent to his mates. Unfortunately for him he was unable to completely cover his tracks and the diligence of his employer coupled with the dedication of IFED to catching insurance fraudsters has seen him swap a nice office for prison cell.”
Safira Afzal, CPS London Senior Crown Prosecutor and Single Point of Contact for IFED, added: “This sophisticated and highly organised fraud was orchestrated by Malhi and was a complete abuse of his position of trust as a claims handler in a Birmingham insurance company. The overwhelming evidence against Mahli led him to plead guilty at the outset and he has now been brought to justice for his crimes.
“The other three defendants who helped Mahli launder the profits of his fraud initially tried to maintain their innocence. Kawsar admitted his guilt on 26 April followed by Islam on 17 May both at the Central Criminal Court. Ladha waited until the day of trial until changing his plea to guilty.”
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Man jailed for producing counterfeit £10 notes
Jonathon Brookes, from Coventry, has been jailed for three years at the Old Bailey today (26th Sept) after being found guilty of producing and distributing fake £10 notes estimated to be worth over £100, 000.
This sentencing follows a multi agency investigation coordinated by the City of London Police Central Detective Unit, involving West Midlands Police, and the UK National Counterfeit Office within the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Brookes was arrested with his brother Lee Brookes on 19th March in Coventry after they were observed by City of London Police obtaining materials used in the production of counterfeit currency.
Following a search of Jonathon’s house officers found a computer, printers and cutting equipment. They also found a number of sheets of paper on the printer, which showed fake bank notes in various stages of production.
Detective Inspector Doug Blackwood, of City of London Police’s Central Detective Unit, said:
“These two brothers have used sophisticated computer programs and printers to produce bank notes and add the security features to them. The notes they produced were indistinguishable under casual inspection.
‘It is estimated that the brothers could be responsible for over £100,000 of counterfeit notes being circulated throughout the UK.”
Lee and Jonathon were charged on 20th March and remanded in custody until the trial. Lee changed his plea to guilty the Friday before trial while Jonathon changed his on the first day of the trial.
Jonathon Brookes, aged 33, (DOB 29/03/80) from Coventry was sentenced to three years imprisonment.
Lee Brookes, aged 31 (DOB 21/08/82) from Coventry will be sentenced on the 24th October and has been remanded in custody.
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National Hajj fraud campaign goes operational with Ilford arrest
The City of London Police national campaign against Hajj fraud today went operational with the arrest of a man suspected of a major fraud against Muslims planning to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
This morning detectives from the national lead force for fraud arrested a 56-year-old man in Ilford who they believe has taken around £100,000 in bookings as well as travel documents from more than 150 people, but failed to provide the promised service.
A search of the suspect’s travel agents also led to documents and a computer being seized.
Detectives fear the funds are being misappropriated, no visas are being obtained and passports have been damaged.
The investigation was launched after the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau analysed a number of Action Fraud reports alleging a Hajj fraud with links to the same office.
It comes a week after force launched a national Hajj fraud campaign to raise awareness of what is believed to a massively under reported crime and to encourage victims to report to Action Fraud.
The centre piece of the campaign is a Hajj fraud video - http://youtu.be/lFC_SMoJpYY - which was made with the support of the British Council of Hajjis and ABTA: The Travel Association.
The force is also working closely with the Muslim community, local forces, trading standards and local authorities to distribute leaflets and posters – translated into Arabic, Punjabi, Bengali, Somali, Urdu, Gujarati – across the UK over the next few weeks: www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Advice/EconomicCrime/hajj-fraud-advice.htm
Commander Steve Head, from the City of London Police, said:
“Today’s operation shows what can happen when victims of Hajj fraud go to Action Fraud. Reports can be swiftly turned into intelligence which can lead to the arrests of people who have potentially ruined what could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a Muslim to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“The City of London Police is committed over the next 12 months to revealing the true nature and scale of Hajj fraud in the UK, to helping protect the Muslim community from this threat and to tracking down those who continue to make criminal capital from other people’s dreams.”
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Fraud workshops hit the mark
Free Protect Yourself from Fraud workshops held by the force on 7th and 8th October, have been well received by City workers and residents.
The workshops were run by officers from the Economic Crime Directorate and aimed to raise awareness of common scams and ways to avoid them as well as demonstrate how plausible some frauds can appear.
Workshop participants heard first-hand what some of the fraud threats in the City are from officers working on the Fraud teams as well as saw how ATM card skimming devices work and discovered simple tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
DI Andy Fyfe who organised the workshops said: “People seemed genuinely impressed and enthused by what we had to say and we’ve had some really positive feedback from the audience.”Comments from those attending included pleas to do similar workshops in the future and thanks for “a very helpful accessible and informative workshop. I am glad that I could attend and I shall share the information with friends and colleagues”
COLP are looking to run more Protect Yourself workshops in the near future, both locally and regionally. If you would like to know more, or to receive a copy of the fraud prevention tips handout, then please email Workshops@city-of-london.pnn.police.uk.
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Cyclists take advantage to visit safety event near Smithfield Market
Cyclists are taking advantage to drop in to an ‘Exchanging Places’ event near Smithfield Market today (Wednesday) where bicycle users can see what the view of the road looks like from the driving seat of a heavy goods vehicle and where lorry drivers’ blind spots are.
Bicycle owners are also being offered the opportunity of free security marking and a safety check for their cycles.
The event is being run by City of London Police and Crossrail, with additional support from the Metropolitan Police Service.
The event is running between 12 noon and 6pm at West Poultry Avenue and cyclists are invited to come along at any point during these times. Already scores of cyclists have turned up to meet the road safety team.
Organiser, PC Alex Sweet, said: ‘City of London Police works closely with cyclists and other road users to make the City a safer place to travel around.
‘This is a good opportunity for cyclists to learn more about staying safe, where the danger lies when cycling close to vehicles and particularly with lorries and to talk to other cyclists and get a free bicycle safety check and security marking too.’
The event also includes a number of presentations plus refreshments are being provided.Crossrail will take several years to build and, during construction, the company are doing their best to minimise disruption and make the project as safe as possible for all Londoners. They will be running a number of Exchanging Places events which promote safer cycling on London’s roads in conjunction with both the City of London Police and the Met Police at locations near the Crossrail route across London.For further information see http://www.crossrail.co.uk/construction/managing-the-effects-of-construction/safer-cycling-near-construction-traffic
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Pension fraud websites taken down following NCA alerts
More than ten websites designed to deceive members of the public into losing much or all of their pension savings have been taken offline after the National Crime Agency (NCA) issued a series of alerts to internet registries.
Each of the websites misrepresented key facts on accessing cash from pension funds, thereby enabling a crime known as pension liberation fraud which is believed to have cost the UK more than half a billion pounds to date. The NCA’s action forms part of ongoing, wide-ranging action to combat this type of fraud.
Through giving misleading information, the sites were designed to convince visitors to access part of their pension fund immediately through transferring it into a new scheme. Barring exceptional circumstances, anyone doing this prior to retirement must pay tax charges which can amount to more than 50 percent of their entire pension fund. Any money remaining can be decimated by ‘fees’ taken by the fraudsters, or their channelling it into worthless or non-existent investments.
The NCA’s alerts detailed the misleading language used on the websites concerned, which flouted the respective domain registrars’ terms and conditions and thereby gave grounds for their removal by the registrars.
Individuals attempting to access certain sites, or domains with similar names, will now be automatically redirected to a page on the Action Fraud website providing information on identifying and reporting pension liberation fraud.
The domain owners were directed to a webpage explaining the action taken against them.
Project Bloom, the multi-agency taskforce set up to address pension liberation activity, has to date issued awareness-raising products to the banking, pensions and public sectors, made arrests and disrupted pension liberation fraud operations.
Coordinated by NCA, it involves the Serious Fraud Office, Department for Work and Pensions, The Pensions Regulator, The Pensions Advisory Service, Action Fraud, City of London Police, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, HMRC, The Information Commissioners Office and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Stephanie Jeavons from the NCA said:
“Pension funds are relied on by millions to sustain us in retirement, and the consequences of being tricked into losing them through tax penalties and worthless investments can be devastating. Some victims of pension liberation fraud only find out when they retire that much, or all, of their pension is gone.
“Denying fraudsters the channels of communication they need to part people from their money is a key element of our approach to tackling this type of crime. The NCA and its partners are also working to help members of the public spot this type of scam, and to dismantle pension liberation fraud enterprises.”
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Man who acted as a ‘ghost broker’ by supplying fraudulent car insurance to disqualified drivers is sentenced
A West Yorkshire man has been sentenced for posing as a ‘ghost broker’ by supplying invalid car insurance to people with a criminal background and disqualified drivers so they could move around the country unnoticed.
Michael Standing obtained 54 real insurance policies from RSA, but provided the insurer with false personal details to secure the policies.
The 26-year-old obtained these policies in an attempt to convince police and highways authorities that they were legally insured drivers so they could move around the country undetected.
However, the policies were invalid because misinformation had been given to the insurer at point of sale.
Standing made around £80 from each policy he supplied – a total of more than £4,000 – which he frittered away on drink and drugs.
The scam was exposed in January 2012 when RSA discovered all of the policies were linked to Standing’s home address in Wrose Road, Shipley, near Bradford. The insurer referred the case to the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which launched a criminal investigation.
The City of London Police unit identified that the policies were linked to Standing’s bank accounts.
IFED officers arrested Standing at his home in July. While there they seized numerous insurance documents, a laptop, several mobile phones and cannabis.
Standing was subsequently charged with four counts of fraud by false representation and possession of class B controlled drugs.
In August 2013, at City of London Magistrates’ Court, Standing was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £250 for possession of class B controlled drugs.
In September, Standing failed to appear at the Old Bailey for trial in relation to the fraud charges. His excuses included missing the bus, having a panic attack and attending a child’s birthday party.
IFED then issued a warrant for Standing’s arrest. Detectives quickly tracked him down to his fiancée’s home, also in Shipley, and arrested him in the middle of the night. He had recently become a father.
Standing appeared at the Old Bailey later that day where he admitted four counts of fraud by false representation and was remanded into custody.
At the same court earlier today (Friday 18 October 2013), Standing was given a 15 month jail term suspended for two years and a 12 month supervision order.
PC Dan Dankoff, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Standing’s conviction demonstrates that IFED is dedicated to bringing ghost brokers to justice.”
John Beadle, RSA Counter Fraud Manager, said: "People need to realise that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime as we all end up paying through our premiums. Cracking down on fraudulent insurance policies is something RSA takes very seriously and we will continue to act to protect our honest customers. Insurers should no longer been seen as a 'soft touch' and we will continue to work closely with IFED to ensure that those who commit fraud are detected and face the consequences of the law.”
Information on suspected ghost brokers can be reported confidentially through the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s Cheatline, powered by Crimestoppers, on 0800 422 0421.
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“Increases in fraud due to number of complex reasons”
The volume of fraud crime is growing in its complexity, diversifying in nature and spreading its reach across the UK, according to the ACPO National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime.
Commander Steve Head was today responding to the latest crime figures that revealed in the year to June 230,335 fraud offences were reported to the police and Action Fraud, a 21% increase on the previous year and a 59% rise since 2008.
“Fraud has a detrimental impact on people from all walks of life that live and work within our local communities. The apparent rate of increase should be of concern to us all and is attracting considerable attention from Government, regulatory bodies, business, individuals, the police service and media.
“Fraud is far from being the 'victimless crime' that it is often portrayed and the local impact from rapidly emerging national and trans-national trends on members of local communities and businesses of all sizes have not always been fully recognised or realised.”
Commander Steve Head stressed that there are a number of complex reasons underlying the increase in recorded frauds, and that in part they represent the success of the national fraud reporting system which is allowing victims to report fraud more quickly and easily via the telephone or by going online.
Commander Head said:
“One of the most important steps we have to take in this country if we want to properly tackle fraud is to understand the true scale and nature of the threat we face. In order to do this we need victims to have the confidence to come forward and report their crimes and we need to develop sophisticated intelligence sharing platforms such as the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau where the private sector can share their fraud reports with us as well. These figures partly reflect the fact that over the last few years we are making significant progress in achieving this objective.
“Since 2010 we have worked with the Home Office to create bespoke new fraud reporting mechanisms for the victims of fraud, encouraging them to go to Action Fraud with their reports, which are then being passed to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau for analysis, disruption and informing criminal investigations by local forces, as well as forming the basis of hundreds of public and private sector fraud prevention alerts.
“In April 2013 we reached the point where all fraud reporting happens via the Action Fraud call centre or web portal. A year on from that – six months from now – I would expect us to have an even fuller picture of fraud offending in the UK.”
However, Commander Head also acknowledged that rapidly evolving technology and a continuing shift towards people conducting more and more of their personal and professional business online is now more than ever giving criminals new opportunities to commit fraud on a massive scale.
“What these figures undoubtedly also reveal is that fraudsters, often operating as part of organised crime gangs, are exploiting the technological revolution to anonymously target people, both at work and at home.
“This is borne out by the fact that in the first quarter of 2013/14 almost 80% of Action Fraud reports received by the NFIB were E-crime related - either cyber crime or internet enabled fraud – and online shopping fraud consistently features as a significant reported fraud. Something for us all to consider as we approach Christmas.
“The police service and the Government are together responding to this changing reality, at the highest level with the establishment of the National Crime Agency and the introduction of a Serious Organised Crime Strategy, right down to the way that fraud detectives are now being recruited and trained in forces across the UK.
“Only by taking this holistic approach across both the public and private sector can we expect to once and for all destroy the myth that fraud victims have somehow brought this crime upon themselves and thus stop fraud being a potentially hidden crime type with significant underreporting by individuals and businesses alike. Then we can turn the tide against fraud in all its forms and, in the next few years start to see a recorded decline.”
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Police and Crime Commissioners gathering in the City of London for economic crime summit
Police and Crime Commissioners from across the UK will be gathering in London on Wednesday (Oct 23) for a state-of-the nation briefing and discussion about economic crime.The City of London Police, which is the national police lead for economic crime, is hosting the event with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and City of London Corporation. The event will include presentations from City of London Police Commissioner, Adrian Leppard, Home Office Ministers Norman Baker MP and James Brokenshire MP, and the Director of the National Crime Agency’s Economic Crime Command, Trevor Pearce.In the days before, all PCC attendees and Chief Constables were sent local threat assessments from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, outlining the nature and scale of fraud in their communities and how the most vulnerable are being targeted. The aim is to raise awareness of the impact of economic crime locally, consider the response at local, regional and national levels and garner support for counter-fraud initiatives.The importance of fraud reporting will also be central to Wednesday’s discussions, with crime figures last week revealing a 21% increase in recorded fraud in the past year, and a 58% rise since 2008.
ACPO National Co-ordinator for Economic Crime, Commander Stephen Head said:“The national fraud landscape is increasingly complex and intertwined, with organised crime gangs exploiting new technology to target people who are living hundreds of miles apart, en mass and simultaneously,“A unified policing response where economic crime is a high priority in all jurisdictions is the only way to effectively confront this problem. This is why we are bringing together PCCs from across the UK, showing them how their local communities are being damaged by fraudsters and how the problems they face are being replicated in other force areas.
“It is also important that as a police service we understand what the increase in recorded fraud means and where it comes from, recognising the improvement in reporting procedures alongside the significant increase in online offending.”
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and Chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) said;
“Being a victim of fraud can be devastating. On top of that victims often feel confused and frustrated about how cases are handled and that they aren’t taken seriously.
This is unacceptable and we have to get the investigation of fraud right for victims. Fraud is often used by criminal gangs to fund drug dealing and human trafficking and too often victims are some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.
Today’s conference is an opportunity for Police and Crime Commissioners and police agencies to come together and see how we can work in partnership to protect our communities and bring these criminals to justice.”
For a more detailed response from Commander Head about the increase in recorded fraud go to:
/CityPolice/Media/News/181013-increaseinrecordedfraud.htm
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Eight fraudsters sentenced for £700,000 boiler room scam
A gang of investment fraudsters who conned 73 people out of £700,000 have been jailed for up to six years at Southwark Crown Court
Between November 2009 and August 2010 the eight men assisted in the running of a boiler room which offered stock market shares at discounted prices and sought after shares that were not actually available to buy by the general public.
The gang worked for a boiler room that used the names of genuine European companies to fool investors into buying shares that did not exist.
The victims were led to believe that these were legitimate firms based in the UK approved by the Financial Services Authority at the time. In reality they were making payments to fraudulent companies with the money being laundered through UK bank accounts that had been set up by the gang.
Detective Constable Abdun Noor, said:
“The boiler room could not have operated without this group of people willingly laundering innocent victims money. The boiler room went to great lengths to make their victims believe that these companies were genuine so they could sell more shares. It is possible there are further victims of this fraud who have not yet been identified.”
Levi Coyle (pictured), aged 33, and of no fixed abode received the highest sentence - six years – after being found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. Levi would collect the money from the gang members and send it to unidentified persons who ran the boiler room. His whereabouts are currently unknown after he breached his bail conditions. Also sentenced for money laundering offences were:
Mark Norman, aged 43, of Gloucester Road, Colchester was sentenced to three years.
Michael Barrett, aged 25, of Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, was sentenced to two years and eight months
Ashley Chilvers, aged 27, of Hamilton Drive, Romford,, was sentenced to 18 months
Simon Stephens, aged 37, no fixed abode, was sentenced to 12 months.
Carl Guy, aged 32, of Ranger Walk, Colchester, was sentenced to ten months suspended for two years and 120 hours of unpaid work.
Elizabeth Finn, aged 28, of Stortford Road, Little Hadham, Ware, received a 12 months sentence suspended for two years and 150 hours unpaid work.
Andrew Sutton, aged 33 of Elizabeth Road, Bishops Stortford, Herts, was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years and 150 hours of unpaid work.
If you know the whereabouts of Levi Coyle please contact City of London Police on 020 7601 2222 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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