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National police appeal jails first of ten £20m fraud suspects (8 August 2016)

Date: 08/08/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, National police appeal jails first of ten £20m fraud suspects

National police appeal jails first of ten £20m fraud suspects City of London Police have announced that the first of ten fraudsters wanted for committing various fraud offences collectively worth £20 million has been jailed.

On 1 August at Cheshire Crown Court, ATM fraudster Marius Lucian Anton, 31, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to possessing criminal possessions, possessing articles being used for fraud and failing to appear at court.

He was also ordered to pay £1,092 under the Proceeds Of Crime Act.

Police officers in Kent arrested Anton on Wednesday 20 July, as he attempted to leave the UK via the port of Dover.

The arrest came less than 48 hours after his image was circulated to national and international media, as part of a widespread appeal to identify the whereabouts of ten suspected fraudsters.

The ten fraudsters were identified through the work of the Joint Fraud Taskforce – an initiative launched by former Home Secretary Theresa May in February 2016.

The taskforce brings together law enforcement agencies, the financial sector and the government, to fight criminals who prey on the public, UK businesses and the UK economy.

Anton – a Romanian national – was wanted by Cheshire Constabulary for having committed multiple automated teller machine (ATM) fraud offences across the country since early 2012.

He used card skimming devices, which he attached to supermarket ATMs to extract and clone credit cards.

In May 2012, Anton failed to appear at court to stand trial for possessing criminal possessions and possessing articles being used for fraud.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Paul Myatt, from the Cheshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said:

“Over the last four years, both Cheshire and Northants Police have made significant attempts to locate Anton and bring him before the Court – all without success.

“However, following the national media appeal by the Joint Fraud Task Force on the 19th July 2016, we were able to flush him out and arrest him as he tried to leave the UK in a further bid to evade justice.

“It is now pleasing to see that justice has been served – and Anton is now serving a custodial sentence, after pleading guilty to placing skimming devices on ATM’s across the UK, targeting innocent members of the public.

“This is an excellent result and I would like to thank the public for the support that they have provided which helped to lead to Anton’s arrest.”

City of London Police say appeals to trace the nine remaining fraudsters continue.

Duncan Lewis Fraud Lawyers

Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers can offer legal advice at any stage of a charge or allegation involving fraud – including company fraud, financial fraud, investment fraud, property fraud, credit card fraud, online fraud or benefit fraud.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

Duncan Lewis can also liaise on behalf of clients with investigating authorities such as SFO, FCA, HMRC, BIS, Insolvency Service, DWP or City of London Police.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on cross-border fraud cases, extradition proceedings and Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on all fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.


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