East Lancashire scammers jailed

Thomas Moffett, Elliot Reed, Nancy Shaw and Gary Oliphant were imprisoned at Preston Crown Court yesterday (July 5th).

The group was part of a total of 18 people sentenced for offences, including conspiring to commit fraud by false representation and money laundering.

Lancashire Police made the arrests following two fraud investigations.

The first investigation involved Moffett.

The 32-year-old, of Bridge End, Barley, was arrested by police in January 2013 for alleged offences as owner of Moth Communications Limited. He ran the company from his bedroom at a former address in St Aiden’s Close, Blackburn.

During October 2011 to December 2012, Moffett conspired to defraud thousands of pounds from business owners across the country.

The court heard how he allowed £127,000 of fraudulent cash to passed through his bank account. The victims would pay money into his account and then he withdrew the amounts keeping the account balance low. The court heard how vulnerable people were targeted, including elderly owners of bed and breakfast hotels.

The victims were told they owed a debt and it should be paid immediately, otherwise bailiffs and the police would come to their address and seize property to the value of what was owed, usually several thousands of pounds.

Moffett pleaded guilty at court.

Officers found Moffett’s offences were linked to a second investigation involving Nancy Shaw, 50, Elliot Reed, 38 and Gary Oliphant, 42.

Shaw, from Pemberton Street, Blackburn, set up a business called The Business Hub Directory Ltd, while Reed, of Clitheroe Road, Whalley, established a company called The Business Directory SEO UK Ltd.

The court heard Shaw allowed £59,000 of fraudulent cash to pass through her account between September 2012 and August 2013, while Reed’s company took £78,000 from victims between May 2012 and July 2013.

More than a dozen offenders involved in the network allowed their personal accounts to be used to launder the fraudulent money.

Identifying these personal bank accounts along with the business accounts was crucial to identify the offenders, including Oliphant.

Oliphant admitted to money laundering and also allowing his home to be used for the purpose of fraud. He said he was aware of the scam and was present while some of the calls had been made.

He was arrested with a number of phones, SIM cards and a computer which had been used to research victims. When police identified the first victim on the computer, this person was already contacting Action Fraud to report a threatening call they had received.

Det Con Jane Challenger, of Lancashire Police’s Economic Crime Unit, was responsible for the investigation into Moffett.

She said: “This was a sophisticated fraud investigation in relation to a boiler room scam.

“Victims were bombarded with telephone calls. The calls were threatening and aggressive, stating they owe for a debt and the payment should be made immediately.

“Victims felt pressurised to pay the money, some parting with life savings and in other cases being forced to close down their businesses.”

Det Con John Banks, of Blackburn CID, responsible for the second investigation with Det Con David Gill, added: “The investigation into Shaw, Reed and Oliphant was extensive and involved dealing with hundreds of victims throughout the country.

“The impact on the victims has not only been detrimental financially but also physically and mentally with, some victims losing their businesses and becoming seriously ill as a result of these crimes.

“It is hoped these sentences send out a message that these crimes will not be tolerated and the police will do everything in their power to bring the offenders to justice.”

Thomas Moffett, 32, of Bridge End in Barley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison.

Elliot Reed, 38, of Clitheroe Road, Whalley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

Nancy Shaw, 50, of Pemberton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years and one month in prison.

Gary Oliphant, 42, of Campbell Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and money laundering and was sentenced to two years and five months in prison.

Marcus Moss, 44, of Vicarage Lane, Wilpshire, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years. He was given 200 hours unpaid work.

Reginald Gregory, 53, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was given a 35 week curfew and electronically monitored.

Samuel Dysart, 22, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years. He was given 280 hours unpaid work.

Zak Deaffern, 25, of Ratcliffe Street, Darwen pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison suspended for two years. He was given a 26 week curfew and 12 months supervision.

Joanne Orr, 25, of Tythebarn Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years. She was given a 26 week curfew and 12 months supervision.

Anthony Lucas-Brewer, 32, of Cavendish Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a two year community order and £500 fine.

Lauren Poland, 27, of Marsh House Lane, Darwen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a 26 week curfew and electronically monitored.

Bryan Baron, 40, of Moorfield Avenue, Ramsgreave, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given 170 hours unpaid work.

Christopher Hayes, 38, of Selkirk Close, Blackburn, admitted to money laundering and was given a two year curfew, electronically monitored for 20 weeks and a supervision order of 18 months.

Coleen Turner, 42, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a two year community order and 26 week curfew.

Gary Brown, 42, of Wood Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a two year community order and 200 hours unpaid work.

Michael Middlehurst, 35, of Powell Street, Darwen, admitted to money laundering and was given 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

Sharyle Connor, 40, of Fawcett Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a two year community order.

Kevin McAuley, 35, of Seacole Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was given a two year community order and 200 hours unpaid work.