Almost £900k seized or frozen and 18 arrested in fraud crackdown

From seeing a prolific romance fraudster convicted to protecting the NHS from criminal activity, our Serious Economic Crime Unit (SECU) has had a busy month.

The team played an active role in a month of targeted action against fraudsters, arresting 18 people and seizing or freezing almost £900,000 in assets.

Across February 2025, police forces have been supporting a campaign co-ordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre and City of London Police.

This month of action – titled Operation Henhouse – recognises fraud as the most prevalent crime in the UK.

Our month of activity under Operation Henhouse supports the national Stop! Think Fraud campaign.

Across the month, our SECU:

• Made 18 arrests.
• Carried out 14 voluntary interviews with suspects.
• Executed six warrants as part of enforcement action.
• Issued two cease and desist notices.
• Submitted three cases to the CPS for charging decision, securing three charges.
• Seized or froze £891,859 in assets.

The Prevent and Protect Team also made a safeguarding visit to a vulnerable fraud victim and carried out 32 public engagement activities.

Tackling romance fraud

Of note, on Wednesday 26 February, a 37-year-old woman, from Harlow, was charged and put before the courts to face three counts of fraud.

This related to a SECU investigation into a romance fraud perpetrated against three men, utilising online dating profiles.

After establishing a friendly relationship with each man, she manipulated them into sending sums of money under various pretences.

She admitted each charge and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday 24 March.

Fraud targeting the NHS

The team also progressed an investigation into an alleged fraud perpetrated against the NHS.

Detectives are investigating reports of surgeries and other organisations receiving false or fraudulent invoices for office supplies, with a total financial loss so far running into five figures.

On Thursday 27 February, with the help of our Operational Support Group, the team executed warrants at four addresses across Hockley, Rayleigh, Rochford and Leigh.

Five men were arrested and questioned on suspicion of fraud as part of our investigation.

They’ve been bailed with conditions attached while the team continues to build its case.

Investigating investment scams

On 6 March, two warrants were executed as part of an ongoing investigation into an investment fraud.

The victims reported investing large sums of money in a whisky company, receiving promises about the amount of return they would receive on their investment.

As a result of our inquiries, officers searched addresses in Tendring, arresting two men, aged in their 40s.

They have been questioned on suspicion of fraud and bailed while our investigation progresses.

Other arrests included investigations into counterfeit currency, rogue trader offences, ticketing fraud and false insurance claims.

'Work has been wide-ranging'

Detective Inspector Lisa Hurrell, of SECU, said:

“Fraud takes many forms, impacting individual victims and even entire institutions, as our enforcement action across the month shows.
“It’s really important that we show our commitment to tackling fraudulent activity in Essex.
“From romance fraud to rogue trading and forgery, my team within the Serious Economic Crime Unit is focused on disrupting the criminals engaged in this wide-ranging offending and safeguarding their victims.
“Our Serious Economic Crime Unit is made up of specialist fraud investigators, working with a wide range of partners on prevention activity, sharing information and taking enforcement action.
"The outcomes of the intensification activity has seen victims supported, offenders arrested and charged, with a large amount of suspected criminal assets removed from circulation.”

Every year, the British public loses billions of pounds to fraudsters. With scams ranging from the simplest confidence trick to the most sophisticated high-tech online fraud, it pays to keep up to date with the latest news and advice.

Find out more about fraud, its many types and how you can report it on our fraud advice pages.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it.