On 17 December 2020 the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced it had arrested three suspected members of an organised crime group on suspicion of money laundering and fraud offences.
Global Fraud Investigation | Rosenblatt’s Financial Crime Team
The NCA said officers from its Complex Financial Crime Team arrested two men and one woman, aged 48, 43 and 45, at addresses in Bexleyheath and Dartford. Those arrested were questioned and released pending further investigation.
The arrests made were part of an operation targeting global fraud and movement of funds. The alleged offending involves large scale identity theft, and the use of numerous false bank accounts to disguise criminal funds. Investigators suspect the group has committed frauds including romance scams, involving the use of personal details being exploited through social media or online dating sites, and bounce back loan fraud.
Gary Cathcart, Head of Financial Investigation for the NCA, said: “Organised crime groups that focus on fraud are well organised and adaptable. They are prepared to exploit anyone and any situation, and we believe these individuals are involved in large scale romance fraud, identity theft as well as exploitation of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.”
“Fraud can have far reaching impacts on victims, particularly romance fraud which is a psychologically and financially devastating crime; those unfortunate to experience it are victims of grooming and exploitation.”
“We are working hard to identify victims and to provide the support they need as we progress this investigation.”
Rosenblatt can help
Rosenblatt has a wealth of experience in financial crime and is uniquely placed to support clients that are the subject of a National Crime Agency investigation having being involved in some of the most high profile investigations into multi-million-pound, cross jurisdictional fraud cases in the UK.
https://www.rosenblatt-law.co.uk/services/financial-crime/#financial-crime
https://www.rosenblatt-law.co.uk/services/serious-and-general-crime/
