By Samantha Jones-
Three people including a husband and wife have been arrested in an NCA investigation linked to international PPE fraud.
Officers carried out searches at two properties in Loughborough and one in Lytham St Annes this morning, where they made the arrests and seized a number of high value items, including a car, jewellery, watches and digital devices.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the couple were arrested during two raids in Loughborough on Wednesday morning.
The other man was detained in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.
The NCA say the group may have defrauded companies by up to £1.9m during the Covid pandemic.
Evidence of significant cash purchases was also recovered.
The male, from Loughborough and in his fifties, is suspected of setting up a UK company solely for running a fraudulent scheme that would allow him to profit from PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) shortages during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. His wife is suspected of helping to launder the proceeds.
Investigators believe the company brokered sale agreements to supply nitrile gloves to companies in the USA and Germany worth over $35 million.
An upfront fee was paid to the UK company to cover initial costs and secure the contracts, but paid into a holding account being managed by a third party.
The holding account provided assurances that funds paid in would only be released upon conditions of the contract being met.
However, it is alleged that the couple were able to access and personally benefit from the initial sums paid without ever satisfying the sale terms.
The third person arrested today, a 39 year-old man, is suspected of aiding the scheme.
Together the group may have defrauded the companies by almost £1.9 million pounds ($2.35 million).
All three suspects remain in custody and interviews are ongoing.
Agreements worth more than £28.9 million to provide nitrile gloves, used in many medical settings, to companies in the US and Germany.
The foreign companies apparently paid an upfront fee to the UK company to cover initial costs and secure contracts, but this was paid into a holding account run by a third party.
The holding account provided assurances that funds paid in would only be released upon contract conditions being met, but the NCA said on Wednesday that the couple are believed to have accessed and benefitted from the money without satisfying their contractual obligations.
Mick Pope, NCA branch commander, said: ‘During the pandemic, both individuals and businesses were impacted by criminal opportunists.
‘The NCA prioritised and tackled a range of serious organised crime threats, including fraud.
‘False business agreements that turn out to be fraud damage the reputation of the UK and hurt our economy.
‘We continue to treat this as a priority area and thank Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support.
‘Work is under way with law enforcement partners in the US and Germany to further this investigation.’
The three suspects remain in custody and interviews are ongoing, the NCA added.
NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope, said: “During the pandemic, both individuals and businesses were impacted by criminal opportunists. The NCA prioritised and tackled a range of serious organised crime threats, including fraud.
“False business agreements that turn out to be fraud, damage the reputation of the UK and hurt our economy.
“We continue to treat this as a priority area and thank Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support. Work is underway with law enforcement partners in the US and Germany to further this investigation.