Man arrested on suspicion of mobile phone fraud

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with mobile phone fraud in Oldham.

Officers from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit swooped on four addresses earlier this morning (Tuesday) as part of an on-going investigation into mobile phone fraud. 

Officers, alongside the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, launched an investigation after calls from anxious members of the public who reported that they believed they had fallen victim to fraud.

It is believed that residents were being called from someone who claimed to be from their mobile network provider who persuaded them to upgrade their phone contract which then led to the victims to believe that they would be entitled to an upgraded mobile phone. 

The victims receive a new phone, but not the latest model as they expected. 

When victims called back to explain that they had an unexpected delivery, they were then told to send it on to another ‘returns’ address.  

These addresses are believed to be “mule addresses” and their main aim is to keep hold of the devices before passing them on in the criminal network. 

It is believed that some of the suspected stolen phones end up out of the country. 

The man was arrested on suspicion of fraud and remains in police custody for questioning. 

Detective Inspector Tim Flint of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: "As always, any reports of fraud are taken extremely seriously, and we 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. 

"While we have made an arrest and seized suspected stolen mobile phones, we are still in the early stages of our investigation, and I would like to take the opportunity to remind the public to ensure they stay alert to the risk of fraud. 

"We are relentless in tackling fraud, but we will continue to work behind the scenes diligently to ensure the people that commit these acts, are brought to justice. 

We do this with your help. If you see something or suspect something is wrong or too good to be true, tell us, and we can do something about it." 

Anyone with any information can contact the police via www.actionfraud.police.uk,  LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or call 101, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.