Eight men have been arrested following raids across England over a number of fraudulent text messages deceiving cash-strapped victims during the lockdown.
The suspects were allegedly involved in sending fraudulent text messages, mostly masquerading as Royal Mail asking customers to pay a fee to collect a package for delivery.
Raids were carried out in London, Coventry, Birmingham and Colchester, a specialist unit from the City of London and the Metropolitan Police said.
The unit detailed how the arrests were part of a week of action against such scam messages.
Chief Detective Inspector Gary Robinson, Head of the Dedicated Cards and Payment Crimes Unit (DCPCU), said: “The success of these operations shows how, through our close collaboration with Royal Mail, the industry financial services and mobile phone networks, we are cracking down on criminals ruthlessly targeting the public.
“Ongoing investigations are currently underway and we will continue to work together to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
A London man has been charged with three offenses, while seven others have been released pending further investigation.
The accused man will appear at Inner London Crown Court on June 21.
He will face charges of misrepresentation fraud, possession of items for the purpose of fraud and possession of criminal property, a spokesperson for the DCPCU said.
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-05-26 06:29:00
