£60k cash and cars seized in police swoops
THOUSANDS of pounds in cash has been recovered and designer clothes, luxury watches and cars have been seized in a police crackdown across Greater Manchester.
Eight warrants were carried out across the region as part of a ‘week of action’ to crack down on financial and cyber crime.
Four people were arrested after the raids in Trafford, Gorton, Manchester and Droylsden.
An 18-year-old man was interviewed under caution for Fraud and Computer Misuse Act Offences and remains under investigation, police said.
A 38-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering was released under investigation.
A 35-year-old man was arrested under the Computer Misuse Act and on suspicion of Disclosing Private Sexual Images offences.
He was also released under investigation.
A 38-year-old man was interviewed under caution for fraud and has been released under investigation.
Officers from GMP’s Economic and Cyber Crime Section seized three cars, £60,000 in cash and around £25,000 worth of listed assets including luxury watches.
Almost £40,000 in previously seized cash was forfeited in court hearings.
Officers from the Account Freezing
Order Team also forfeited more than £77,000 that was frozen due to it being suspected it was criminal funds.
Both amounts will now go to the Home Office.
Half will be returned to GMP to be invested in community projects and fighting organised economic crime, the force said.
Detective Chief Inspector Joe Harrop, of the Economic and Cyber Crime Section, said: “This is a fantastic result, with a significant amount of money recovered.
“Our team uses a variety of options available to us from the Proceeds of Crime Act, including cash seizure powers, listed asset powers (such as seizing high value jewellery, watches and artwork) and bank account freezing orders.
“We have been preparing for this week of action for the last month, and a substantial amount of work has gone in to ensuring its success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved, including our colleagues in Serious and Organised Crime.
“Taking away money and assets from criminals does have a substantial impact on criminality, hitting them where it hurts.
“I hope this serves as a reminder that while tackling fraud and economic crime is a relentless task, we will continue to work to bring those involved in criminal behaviour to justice, and ensure that crime doesn’t pay.”