Three crooks have been locked up for running a massive online vehicle fraud that scammed hundreds of buyers across the UK. South Yorkshire Police smashed the ring after a long-running investigation.
Hundreds Scammed in Online Vehicle Rip-Off
Detectives from South Yorkshire’s Economic Crime Unit uncovered the racket in June 2020. Crooks posted fake adverts for vans and other vehicles on popular online sites. They tricked buyers into paying deposits, then told them to collect their “purchases” from innocent homeowners completely unaware their addresses were being exploited.
Innocent ‘Money Mules’ Roped In to Shift Cash
The stolen deposits flooded dozens of bank accounts held by unsuspecting “money mules,” duped via social media promises of easy cash. Police found at least 90 mules were involved. All told, over 300 victims lost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Three Men Busted in Coordinated Raids
Using a mix of undercover and traditional policing, officers nailed suspects Patrick Stokes, 36, Michael Stokes, 31, and Liam Cumbor, 32. They were arrested during coordinated raids on 21 February 2023. They first denied the charges but later pleaded guilty after facing “overwhelming evidence.”
On 21 November at Sheffield Crown Court, all three were jailed for two and a half years each for conspiracy to defraud and handling criminal property.
