Friday, 6 November, 2009
Officers from the City and Holbeck Proceeds of Crime Team have seized 33 vehicles as part of an investigation into motor sales fraud estimated to be worth around £1million.
Two men aged 31 and 32 and a 33-year-old woman were arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of fraud and money laundering in a joint operation by the Proceeds of Crime Team, CID officers and Trading Standards.
The three were arrested as part of an enquiry into 'car clocking', where high mileage cars are purchased at auction and have their milometers altered and false service histories created before being sold on at inflated values much higher than their actual worth.
They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
During warrants executed on Wednesday, a car dealership in Leeds was visited where officers photographed 33 vehicles.
But officers have now been able to seize the vehicles - worth a total of around £350,000 - after further alleged offences came to light.
They have been taken away so officers can conduct further enquiries into their histories.
Why Should They?
Under the Why Should They? campaign, members of the public in West Yorkshire are encouraged to report those they suspect of living off the proceeds of crime to Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
For more information, visit www.whyshouldthey.com.
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Thursday, 5 November, 2009
The City and Holbeck Division's Proceeds of Crime Team have arrested three people on suspicion of fraud and money laundering as part of an investigation into motor sales fraud estimated to be worth around £1million.
Two men aged 32 and 31 and a 33-year-old woman were arrested yesterday morning after warrants were executed at six addresses by officers from the Proceeds of Crime Team and City and Holbeck CID, and Trading Standards.
All three were bailed pending further enquiries, following interviews.
The enquiry centres around high-mileage cars which are purchased at auction and have their milometers altered and false service histories created before being sold on at inflated values much higher than their actual worth.
Monies made from the sale of these vehicles is then alleged to be sent to Zimbabwe to fund organised crime.
As part of yesterday's operation officers forced entry into a car dealership in Leeds and photographed several vehicles so enquiries can be carried out into their histories.
Several bank accounts were also uncovered following the warrants, and the Proceeds of Crime Team will now carry out detailed investigations into money transfers involving these accounts to determine if they have been used for money laundering.
Detective Sergeant Tom Walsh, of the City and Holbeck Division's Proceeds of Crime Team, said: "Practices such as 'car clocking' are a quick and easy way for criminals to make money because many victims will think they are getting a great deal on a relatively new car with a low mileage.
"But having paid over the odds in the first place they are soon faced with paying for repairs that they think are before their car's time, which is often when the truth behind their vehicle's history is found out."
The investigation was triggered following enquiries from a Proceeds of Crime pilot scheme which ran in Leeds recently. Anyone arrested on suspicion of an acquisitive crime such as theft was automatically searched and checked for evidence that they were living beyond their means.
If such evidence was found, officers would carry out a detailed investigation into the person's lifestyle with a view to seizing any assets they had earned illegitimately as the Proceeds of Crime.
Det Sgt Walsh added: "The Proceeds of Crime scheme is a success and many people involved in money laundering and similar offences have been subjected to a separate investigation and prevented from slipping through the net.
"People should not be allowed to make a living from the proceeds of crime while the rest of us work hard to pay our way, and by reporting people you suspect of living off crime you can put a stop to it."
As part of the Why Should They? campaign, members of the public in West Yorkshire are encouraged to report those they suspect of living off the proceeds of crime to Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
For more information, visit www.whyshouldthey.com.
Officers from the City and Holbeck Proceeds of Crime Team have seized 33 vehicles as part of an investigation into motor sales fraud estimated to be worth around £1million.
Two men aged 31 and 32 and a 33-year-old woman were arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of fraud and money laundering in a joint operation by the Proceeds of Crime Team, CID officers and Trading Standards.
The three were arrested as part of an enquiry into 'car clocking', where high mileage cars are purchased at auction and have their milometers altered and false service histories created before being sold on at inflated values much higher than their actual worth.
They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
During warrants executed on Wednesday, a car dealership in Leeds was visited where officers photographed 33 vehicles.
But officers have now been able to seize the vehicles - worth a total of around £350,000 - after further alleged offences came to light.
They have been taken away so officers can conduct further enquiries into their histories.
Why Should They?
Under the Why Should They? campaign, members of the public in West Yorkshire are encouraged to report those they suspect of living off the proceeds of crime to Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
For more information, visit www.whyshouldthey.com.
************
Thursday, 5 November, 2009
The City and Holbeck Division's Proceeds of Crime Team have arrested three people on suspicion of fraud and money laundering as part of an investigation into motor sales fraud estimated to be worth around £1million.
Two men aged 32 and 31 and a 33-year-old woman were arrested yesterday morning after warrants were executed at six addresses by officers from the Proceeds of Crime Team and City and Holbeck CID, and Trading Standards.
All three were bailed pending further enquiries, following interviews.
The enquiry centres around high-mileage cars which are purchased at auction and have their milometers altered and false service histories created before being sold on at inflated values much higher than their actual worth.
Monies made from the sale of these vehicles is then alleged to be sent to Zimbabwe to fund organised crime.
As part of yesterday's operation officers forced entry into a car dealership in Leeds and photographed several vehicles so enquiries can be carried out into their histories.
Several bank accounts were also uncovered following the warrants, and the Proceeds of Crime Team will now carry out detailed investigations into money transfers involving these accounts to determine if they have been used for money laundering.
Detective Sergeant Tom Walsh, of the City and Holbeck Division's Proceeds of Crime Team, said: "Practices such as 'car clocking' are a quick and easy way for criminals to make money because many victims will think they are getting a great deal on a relatively new car with a low mileage.
"But having paid over the odds in the first place they are soon faced with paying for repairs that they think are before their car's time, which is often when the truth behind their vehicle's history is found out."
The investigation was triggered following enquiries from a Proceeds of Crime pilot scheme which ran in Leeds recently. Anyone arrested on suspicion of an acquisitive crime such as theft was automatically searched and checked for evidence that they were living beyond their means.
If such evidence was found, officers would carry out a detailed investigation into the person's lifestyle with a view to seizing any assets they had earned illegitimately as the Proceeds of Crime.
Det Sgt Walsh added: "The Proceeds of Crime scheme is a success and many people involved in money laundering and similar offences have been subjected to a separate investigation and prevented from slipping through the net.
"People should not be allowed to make a living from the proceeds of crime while the rest of us work hard to pay our way, and by reporting people you suspect of living off crime you can put a stop to it."
As part of the Why Should They? campaign, members of the public in West Yorkshire are encouraged to report those they suspect of living off the proceeds of crime to Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
For more information, visit www.whyshouldthey.com.
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