Three crooks have been sentenced for running a huge online vehicle fraud scheme that ripped off hundreds of buyers across the UK. South Yorkshire Police uncovered the scam after a lengthy probe.
Fraud scheme hammered hundreds of victims
Detectives from the Economic Crime Unit cracked the case in June 2020 after spotting fake adverts for vans and other vehicles on popular online shopping sites. Scammers took deposits from eager buyers, then told them to pick up vehicles at random homes where residents had no idea their addresses were being used.
Money mules unwittingly used to move cash
Police revealed the deposits flowed through dozens of bank accounts held by unsuspecting “money mules” who were tricked on social media with promises of easy cash. At least 90 mules were involved, with over 300 victims losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in total.
Three men cuffed after coordinated raids
Using covert and traditional tactics, cops identified suspects Patrick Stokes, 36, Michael Stokes, 31, and Liam Cumbor, 32. All three were arrested during coordinated raids on 21 February 2023. They initially denied all charges but changed their pleas to guilty after seeing the “overwhelming evidence”.
On 21 November at Sheffield Crown Court, each was jailed for two and a half years for conspiracy to defraud and handling criminal property.
