Two Jailed Over £510,000 Supermarket Scam
Two crooks have been locked up for their part in a Medway money laundering racket that helped scam victims worldwide. More than £510,000 passed through a dodgy mini-market on Batchelor Street, Chatham, between August and December 2014.
Fake Money Service Store Used to Clean Scam Cash
The Latom “O” Store was registered as a proper money service business, meant to exchange currency, cash cheques, and send funds abroad. Instead, it was a front for con artists conning innocent people out of their savings.
Jail for Seriki and Bryan
Laide Seriki, 46, from Chatham, got four years and one month. Kwame Bryan, 48, from south-west London, was slapped with five years and nine months, after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
Both also face five-year Serious Crime Prevention Orders on release, keeping them under watch to stop repeats.
Scam Victims from Across the Globe
Police uncovered fake IDs, passports, and false addresses linked to the stolen cash. Victims from Australia, New Zealand, and the US fell for stories about ‘friends in need,’ fake romances, and lottery scams.
Letters sent to 49 cash senders got 22 replies from people tricked online.
Investigation Reveals Bigger Crime Network
Detectives discovered the money funnelled through a Crawley man tied to a £750,000 laundering scheme run from a shuttered Sleep Depot. Bryan and the Crawley man were arrested in October 2015. The Crawley criminal faces a 4 year and 9 months sentence.
Detective Inspector James Derham said: “Seriki and Bryan were key players in a callous money laundering operation linked to heart-breaking scams worldwide. Many victims were manipulated by fake love stories into handing over thousands.”
“They tried to flee justice but the court has handed down deserved custody. Remember – never send money to someone you’ve never met online. Protect your personal information.”
“Fraud like this only stops with public awareness. Warn family and friends to check online strangers carefully. If you think you’re a victim, contact Action Fraud or Kent Police.”
To report fraud or money laundering:
- Action Fraud: Visit actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- Kent Police: Call 101 or visit kent.police.uk/report
