Man arrested in connection with mobile phone fraud in Oldham
Police in Oldham arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a mobile phone fraud scheme where victims were tricked into upgrading their phone contracts, receiving outdated models, and then instructed to send the phones to fraudulent "mule addresses." The investigation, led by GMP’s Economic Crime Unit and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, is ongoing, with some stolen phones believed to have been sent abroad. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
Police Arrest Man in Oldham Mobile Phone Fraud Investigation
A 37-year-old man was arrested Tuesday morning as police executed warrants at four addresses in Oldham in connection with a sophisticated mobile phone fraud operation that has targeted victims across Greater Manchester.
The Economic Crime Unit, supported by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, launched the investigation after receiving multiple calls from members of the public who believed they had fallen victim to fraud. Victims reported receiving calls from someone claiming to represent their mobile network provider, who persuaded them to upgrade their phone contracts with promises of receiving the latest mobile phone models.
The fraud scheme involved victims receiving new phones that were not the expected latest models. When they contacted the supposed provider to report the unexpected delivery, they were instructed to send the devices to specific “returns” addresses. Police believe these addresses are “mule addresses” used to collect the phones before they are distributed through criminal networks, with some devices ending up overseas.
Detective Inspector Tim Flint of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit stated: “As always, any reports of fraud are taken extremely seriously and will always thoroughly investigate where there’s evidence of criminal activity. What we are investigating here is what we believe to be a highly sophisticated fraud and a number of people, not just in Greater Manchester, have potentially been a victim.”
The suspect remains in police custody for questioning. Police have seized suspected stolen mobile phones and continue to investigate the operation. Anyone with information can contact police via www.actionfraud.police.uk, LiveChat on www.gmp.police.uk, call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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