£2m worth of goods stolen in scam

Con artists have stolen up to £2m worth of goods in a nationwide scam.

Greater Manchester Police is investigating the fraud and are urging other companies not to fall victim to this criminal enterprise.

The architects of this scam have been calling the sales departments of high-profile electronic companies across the UK, pretending to be an employee of fast-food giants McDonald's.

They have then ordered electrical goods such as laptops, computers and televisions on a 30 to 90-day credit basis and arranged for them to be delivered to addresses in Manchester, where the goods have been collected but never paid for.

It is believed those behind the scam have also branched out into calling other companies and fraudulently obtaining foodstuffs, wines and spirits in the same way.

To date, it is thought up to £2m worth of goods have been obtained through this scam.

Greater Manchester Police is now urging any UK company who is approached by someone claiming to be from McDonalds wanting to place an order on behalf of the restaurant to be vigilant.

To date the contact details being used by the offenders are as follows:

• 08452691742
• 08452691745
• @mcdonaldsuk-site.co.uk
• @yahoo.co.uk
• McDonalds@aol.com
• @aol.co.uk
• @mcds-ops.uk
• @mcdonaldsrestaurantsltd.co.uk
• @mcds-ops.co.uk

Detective Inspector Neal Colburn, from GMP's Economic Crime Section, said: "These con artists have ripped off a lot of companies to the tune of about £2m. Not only have they left these businesses seriously out of pocket, but they have also tried to tarnish the good reputation of McDonalds.

"I want to stress that throughout this investigation, we have been in close liaison with McDonalds who are in no way under suspicion. The criminals behind this scam have merely used this popular brand as the cover story for their illegal operation and McDonalds are as anxious to find those responsible as we are.

"Make no mistake, these people are determined criminals who have defrauded companies out of vast sums of money and we cannot allow them to continue to line their pockets.

"We are doing everything we can to identify those behind the scam and the courts have shown they take an extremely dim view of this sort of fraud. The offenders can expect a long stretch behind bars if we catch them.

"I am also urging companies across the UK not to fall victim to these criminals. If your company is not a usual supplier for McDonalds and you are contacted by an individual purporting to be placing an order on behalf of McDonalds, please treat it with caution. Get the contact details from the legitimate web site of McDonalds and contact them to confirm the order - do not use the details provided by the caller.

"With your assistance we can smoke these people out and bring them to justice."

A spokesman for McDonalds said: "McDonald's holds long-term relationships with its suppliers and any new suppliers will need to register before providing services to. Our restaurants are not authorised to request high value goods and any McDonald's genuine purchase can be checked by telephoning our accounts helpdesk on 0844 736 3611."

Anyone with information should call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 6551 or 0161 856 6532 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.