A month-long national offensive against fraud has resulted in the apprehending of 22 people and the seizure of over £250,000 in cash and assets, police have confirmed.
Kent Police played a pivotal role in Operation Henhouse, a National Economic Crime Centre initiative designed to bolster law enforcement efforts against fraudsters.
During February, officers executed numerous warrants and conducted targeted operations, yielding £279,000 in recovered funds and seized assets. Notably, nearly £1 million was successfully returned to a victim of a sophisticated investment scam, delivering a significant blow to organised financial crime.
Further seizures included a Harley Davidson motorcycle, valued at £21,000, believed to have been purchased with illicit funds. The arrested individuals face charges related to a variety of fraudulent activities, ranging from impersonating police officers to orchestrating solar panel installation scams and engaging in credit card fraud.
“This operation sends a clear message that fraud will not be tolerated,” stated a Kent Police spokesperson. “We are committed to pursuing those who seek to defraud our communities and ensuring that victims receive justice.”
The national crackdown underscores the ongoing fight against economic crime and highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across the country.
How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:
- Always use the ABC of scam awareness. Never Assume or Believe a caller, email or text is genuine. Always Confirm by contacting a trusted relative, friend, your bank’s fraud department or the police to check it is genuine.
- Remember the police will never call you asking you to assist with an investigation by withdrawing cash for them to collect, or requesting to collect your bank card. If you receive a call purporting to be from the police and are unsure it is genuine, ring them back via 101 using a different telephone.
- Avoid clicking on links in emails and text messages from unknown sources, as they are liable to be a scam.
- Always use a strong and separate password for your email address by using three random words.