Man and Gang Hit by £1.3 Million Sales Scam Charges
A man and four others have been charged over a £1.3 million online sales scam that duped nearly 200 victims out of cash, but never delivered vehicles. The fraud ran from August 2013 to August 2017, with buyers left empty-handed after handing over their money.
Blake Patterson Leads Fraud Investigation
Blake Patterson, 33, of no fixed address, faces charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. He was arrested following a probe by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. Patterson’s accused co-conspirators appeared with him at Medway Magistrates Court on Wednesday 29 August:
- Antony Coles, 32, Bagshot, Surrey – conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering
- Carl Corolan, 28, Queenborough Road, Sheppey – fraud and money laundering
- Aaron Irwin, 29, Brookside, Sheppey – fraud and money laundering
- Reece McCoy, 26, Railway Road, Sheerness – conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering
Additional Fraud Charges Linked to London Joinery Firm
Patterson faces a separate conspiracy to commit fraud charge after allegedly scamming a London joinery company out of around £279,000. Four more suspects linked to this case also appeared at Medway Magistrates Court:
- Daniel London, 35, Herne Bay – fraud
- Graham Nichols, 49, Westerham – conspiracy to commit fraud
- Danielle Nye, 23, Herne Bay – conspiracy to commit fraud
- Toni Stylianou, 33, Erith – conspiracy to commit fraud
Next Steps
All nine defendants have been bailed and are due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 26 September. The investigation highlights a significant crackdown on online scams with large sums and multiple victims affected.
