Suspect in £1m fraud arrested after speeding driver stopped in Nottinghamshire
Officers ‘left stunned’ after speeding motorist revealed as wanted fraud suspect
A man wanted as part of a £1m property fraud has been arrested after police stopped a speeding motorist in Mansfield.
Nottinghamshire Police officers were “left stunned” when computer checks revealed the man’s identity.
An investigation was launched in 2021 after a prospective property buyer transferred more than £1m to fraudsters posing as her solicitors, who were overseeing a London house sale.
The fraudsters went on to disperse the stolen money into several accounts and are thought to have fled to Romania.
Officers stopped a BMW on Sandy Lane in Mansfield after suspecting it was speeding.
A 27-year-old man who was wanted in connection with the high-value fraud was arrested on July 20 on suspicion of concealing/disguising criminal property.
He was later bailed and must report to Mansfield Police Station weekly as part of his bail conditions. His passport was also confiscated.
Det Insp Ashley Xavier, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was excellent work by the patrolling officers and, as a result, we have been able to question a man in relation to a very serious offence.”
The victim’s losses have since been refunded by her bank and inquiries to trace a second suspect are ongoing.