Four people have been convicted of offences linked to a complex fraud and money laundering operation, following an investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU).
The money laundering offences were born out of cyber-enabled payment diversion fraud activity that occurred between February and April 2017.
Victims defrauded to the tune of more than £200,000
During this period, victims were defrauded cumulatively to the tune of more than £200,000. The fraud involved email accounts of victims in North Yorkshire and in London being compromised, and money transfers – including funds from the sale of a property on one particular occasion – being intercepted and diverted to fraudulent bank accounts.
From there, the stolen money was transferred through various personal bank accounts, with large sums also being spent or withdrawn including from banks and at a London casino.
Investigation in March 2018
These frauds were initially investigated separately by other police forces, before Hampshire’s ECU launched an investigation in March 2018 focusing on the business activities of two companies – St James BG Ltd in Hampshire, and St James Bank Ltd based in Mayfair, London.
During this investigation, in May 2018, the home address of 48-year-old Tyrone Christie (also known as Tyrone Trim) was searched under warrant, and a computer was seized.
‘Money-mule’ network
The examination of this computer unearthed documentation providing evidence of a ‘money-mule’ network, including invoices, letters and other relevant documentation in the names of individuals involved in the dissipation of funds from both frauds.
Enquiries also established suspicious banking activity linked to Christie, involving large transfers and withdrawals of cash, dating back to 2016 – pre-dating the fraud.
Number of arrests
Hampshire ECU’s lengthy investigation tracked the banking and payment activities, and a number of people were arrested and subsequently charged following enquiries.
The following two people were found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday 3rd May this year, at a trial which began on Monday 17th April:
- Tyrone Christie (also known as Tyrone Trim), aged 48, of Riverside Drive in Mitcham, Surrey, was found guilty of entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement between 13th July 2016 and 25th July 2017.
- Gareth Amaru Williams (also known as Gary Taylor), aged 57, of Manor Road in South Norwood, was found guilty of one count of entering into or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrangement between 3rd April 2017 and 2nd June 2017, and one count of concealing, converting, disguising, or removing £100,134 of criminal property between 10th April 2017 and 19th April 2017.
Trim was bailed by the courts, and Williams was remanded in custody. A date for sentencing is yet to be fixed.
Pleaded guilty
At previous hearings prior to this year’s trial, the following defendants pleaded guilty to offences:
- Rachel Stephanie Herd, aged 53, of Arctic Road in Cowes, Isle of Wight, pleaded guilty on 1st March this year to concealing, converting, disguising, or removing £111,339.60 of criminal property between 1st January 2017 and 9th May 2018.
- Fabian Nathaniel Thomas, aged 32, of Ashley Road in Bristol, pleaded guilty on 23 March this year to concealing, converting, disguising, or removing £20,000 of criminal property between 1st January 2017 and 9th May 2018.
They remain on bail awaiting sentence.
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
Image: houstondwiPhotos under CC BY 2.0
