A serial fraudster from Swindon who used stolen identities, forged payslips and fake bank statements to secure thousands of pounds in fraudulent loans has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Daniel Robertson, 36, of Burbage Road, Penhill, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday 23 October 2026 after admitting a string of fraud offences, including breaching a court order imposed following an earlier money laundering conviction.

Wiltshire Police revealed that Robertson had submitted 13 fraudulent loan applications using other people’s identities, with six proving successful and approximately £23,000 being withdrawn.

During the investigation, detectives also discovered a USB device containing 120 fraudulent identity documents relating to real people.

Thirteen Fraudulent Loan Applications Uncovered

Robertson’s latest offending came to light during an investigation by Wiltshire Police’s specialist Fraud Team.

In April 2026, officers received information from Great Western Credit Union that Robertson had submitted multiple suspicious loan applications between February and April that year.

Police established that he had made 13 applications using stolen identities and forged financial documents, including bank statements.

Six applications were successful, allowing Robertson to withdraw around £23,000 into bank accounts held in his own name and those of two associates.

The two associates remain on police bail, according to Wiltshire Police.

The investigation established that Robertson had been using fraudulent financial information to obtain money while continuing to breach restrictions imposed following his previous conviction.

USB Stick Contained 120 Fake Identity Documents

Following Robertson’s arrest, detectives recovered a USB storage device containing an extensive collection of fraudulent personal documents.

The device held 120 fake identity documents associated with real individuals.

These included bank statements, council tax bills, forged payslips and photographs of bank cards and driving licences.

The discovery provided further evidence of the scale of the identity fraud operation and the personal information Robertson had obtained.

Police stressed that the offending affected genuine victims whose identities had been used without their permission.

Fraudster Previously Jailed Over Money Laundering

Robertson was not a first-time offender.

He had previously been sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in a substantial money laundering scheme and was released in 2021.

Following that conviction, he was made subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order designed to restrict his financial activities and prevent further offending.

The order imposed limitations on his banking arrangements and required him to notify Wiltshire Police whenever he opened new accounts or applied for loans.

However, proactive checks by the force’s Fraud Team uncovered further breaches.

Officers established that Robertson had opened or attempted to open seven current accounts with different banks without notifying police.

At one stage, he held as many as eight current accounts.

Forged Payslips Used in Gambling Account

Investigators also discovered that Robertson had attempted to use falsified employment documents in September 2024.

Although he had been unemployed since 2021, he submitted forged payslips to a gambling provider in an attempt to demonstrate that funds deposited into his account came from legitimate sources.

The gambling account was subsequently locked.

Police said the forged documents formed part of Robertson’s continued attempts to access money and maintain his gambling activity despite the restrictions imposed on him.

Swindon Crown Court Imposes 30-Month Sentence

Robertson appeared before Swindon Crown Court on Friday 23 October 2026, having pleaded guilty to:

• Two counts of fraud by false representation.
• Two counts of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order.
• Possession of articles for use in fraud.
• Transferring criminal property.

He was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment.

The court also imposed a further five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order, which will take effect following his release.

The order will restrict the number and type of digital devices, phone numbers and bank accounts Robertson may hold.

It will also impose gambling restrictions and require him to register with a gambling support service.

Detective Warns Identity Theft Has Real Victims

Detective Constable Rachael Fairbairn, from Wiltshire Police’s Fraud Team, condemned Robertson’s continued offending after his previous prison sentence.

She described him as a repeat offender who had persistently falsified financial documents to support his gambling.

DC Fairbairn said:

“Robertson’s offending isn’t victimless. There are real people who have had their identities stolen by Robertson and used for his offending.”

She thanked Great Western Credit Union for its assistance in identifying the suspicious activity and helping prevent further fraud.

The detective also urged residents to take precautions to protect their personal and financial information.

How to Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud

Wiltshire Police is encouraging people to remain alert to the risks of identity theft, particularly where personal documents, financial records and banking information could be misused.

Residents are advised to securely destroy sensitive paperwork before disposal, use strong passwords and activate two-factor authentication on online accounts.

Regularly reviewing credit reports can help identify unfamiliar applications or accounts opened without permission.

Services offered by Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and ClearScore can help consumers monitor changes to their credit information.

People moving house should arrange mail redirection and check their credit files during the following months to reduce the risk of personal documents falling into the wrong hands.

Anyone who suspects their identity has been stolen should contact their bank or financial provider and report suspected fraud through the official Report Fraud service.

Robertson has now been jailed for 30 months and will face strict financial, digital device and gambling restrictions for five years after his release.