A couple from Stockport have been jailed for fraud – after using an elaborate scheme to steal over £580,000 from vulnerable and elderly people across the UK.
Sean Thompson has been sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to six years and six months after pleading guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering.
Caroline Preston was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty, at an earlier hearing, also to Fraud and Money Laundering.
The prosecution told the court that Thompson and Preston contacted vulnerable and elderly people across the UK, pretending to be from a firm of solicitors recovering lost funds due to failed time share investments, and defrauded them of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Detective Constable Shaun Nicholls, of GMP’s Economic and Cyber Crime Section, said, “What Thompson and Preston did to vulnerable and elderly people is shocking. I hope this outcome provides the victims with a sense of closure.
I also hope this demonstrates that GMP, the CPS and courts will not tolerate this criminal behaviour, and we will do everything in our power to secure a conviction. Not only this, but we will be moving to get back any proceeds of crime later this year.
I would also like to use this opportunity to remind members of the public to be vigilant when it comes to discussing money with third parties, especially when sending funds or providing account details.”
