News Articles

Rogue trader sentenced for selling clocked cars worth over £350,000

Birmingham man jailed for 27 months for supplying counterfeit designer goods

A Birmingham man has been handed a 27 month custodial sentence at Birmingham Crown Court today after being found guilty of trademark offences.

Andrew Pilley found guilty on four counts of fraud

Family who pocketed £2m from website scam sentenced to 21 years

A family who made over £2 million using deliberately misleading websites to trick people into paying for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which were freely available from the official NHS website, have been sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Builders successfully prosecuted for carrying out unnecessary work

Two brothers from Minety and a third man from Aldermaston have today (13 April), been given prison sentences, following a successful prosecution by Wiltshire Council supported by the National Trading Standards South West Regional Investigation Team.

Home improvement fraudster sentenced to three years in prison

Online ticket touts ordered to pay £6.1m

Two ‘ticket touts’ who fraudulently resold event tickets have been ordered to pay back £6,167,522.02 at a hearing at Leeds Crown Court today. The confiscation order was handed down at the latest hearing associated with the UK’s first successful prosecutions and convictions against a company fraudulently reselling tickets on a large scale.

Public urged to help fight mail scams

National Trading Standards is encouraging members of the public to send in scam mail in a ‘Scamnesty’ running until 23 December.

Crackdown on counterfeits as UK shoppers hunt for bargains

A Black Friday crackdown by enforcement bodies and Meta has been launched to remove listings of potential counterfeit products from Instagram in the run-up to Black Friday.

Doorstep criminals who targeted elderly victims sentenced

Two criminals who conned vulnerable people out of tens of thousands have today been sentenced.

Losing just £100 to a scam would tip 13 million into crisis

National Trading Standards highlights threats to look out for as criminals exploit cost-of-living fears.

Fish seller who conned elderly out of £100K sentenced to 3 and a half years

A door-to-door fish seller who targeted elderly and vulnerable customers using dishonest and aggressive sales techniques has today been sentenced.

Threatening fish seller who scammed victims as old as 105 sentenced to 5 years and 7 months

A mobile fish seller who scammed vulnerable victims has today been sentenced to 5 years and 7 months.

Aggressive fish seller who scammed elderly jailed for eight months

A fish seller who sold poor-quality fish to elderly people using aggressive business tactics handed an eight month custodial sentence.

Letting agent sentenced after leaving landlords out of pocket

A Newmarket letting agent who defrauded his customers has today been jailed for 34 months.

Rogue roofer receives prison sentence

A roofer who left customers with large repair bills after carrying out shoddy work has today been jailed for 3 years and 3 months.

UK victims of international mass marketing scam to be compensated from recovered monies

Compensation roll-out begins following landmark investigation.

National Trading Standards publishes guidance on Part A material information for property listings

The National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has published new guidance to help agents ensure they are meeting their requirements under Part A of the process to improve material information in property listings.

Rogue HGV training provider handed 12 month suspended sentence

A rogue Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) training provider who conned people across the country out of more than £63,000 has been handed a suspended prison sentence and disqualified from being a director for five years. At Harrow Crown Court on Friday 24 June he was found guilty of misleading consumers under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Consumer Minister becomes millionth recruit to scam-fighting initiative Friends Against Scams

National Trading Standards scheme reaches ‘one million Friends’ milestone and saves society £59m.

Enforcement action stops sale of over £50k of unsafe electrical goods

Havering Council’s trading standards team helped to stop unsafe electrical goods being sold to the public in an investigation which saw a company director prosecuted.

‘Price on application’ in property listings deemed unlawful as National Trading Standards publishes opinion

National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) has today published its opinion*, developed with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), that the use of ‘POA’ or ‘price on application’ in property listings (principally sales listings) contravenes consumer protection legislation.

Torquay builder sentenced to 43 months for building work fraud

A tradesman from Torquay has today been handed a 43-month custodial sentence and a Criminal Behaviour Order for 10 years at Bristol Crown Court after pleading guilty to running a fraudulent business.

​National Trading Standards appoints new Chair

The National Trading Standards Board is delighted to confirm that Lord Michael Bichard will take over as the Chair of National Trading Standards from 1 June 2022.

Two sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering in £500K timeshare fraud

13 million illegal cigarettes taken off the streets in first year of major operation

Illegal tobacco products worth more than £7 million have been seized in the first year* of a major crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade by National Trading Standards (NTS) and HMRC.

Material information for property listings announced

A property's council tax band or rate and the property price and tenure information (for sales) must be included on all property listings by the end of May 2022 and these data fields will start to appear on portals over the coming weeks.These changes represent the first phase of a project by the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team, in partnership with industry leaders and the UK’s major property portals*, to define what constitutes material information for property listings.

Brothers sentenced for home maintenance fraud following extradition

Two brothers have been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today after pleading guilty to one count of participating in a fraudulent roofing and building business on December 22 at Bristol Crown Court.

Property improvement fraudsters sentenced

Three fraudsters have been sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (4 February 2022) for their part in an elaborate property improvement scam which saw victims conned into paying deposits totalling nearly £800,000 for building work that was never undertaken.

Rogue builder sentenced to five years in prison

Victims conned out of tens of thousands of pounds by Bath fraudster

Scams Team wins Tackling Economic Crime Award

Online shoppers buy 80 million ‘disappointing’ items based on rave reviews

National Trading Standards urges consumers to beware of fake online reviews when Christmas shopping

Secondary ticketing fraud appeal rejected in court

The Court of Appeal has today (26 November 2021) dismissed appeals from two online ‘ticket touts’ who were jailed on 24 February 2020 in a landmark case heard at Leeds Crown Court.

Fake show home behind home improvements scam

Three men who conspired to defraud victims across London and the home counties have been found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (24 November) for their part in a property improvement scam. A fourth individual pleaded guilty to one count of fraud earlier in the proceedings.

WhatsApp launches ‘STOP. THINK. CALL.’ campaign to stamp out message-based scams

WhatsApp enlists ‘Scambassador’ Joel Dommett to encourage the British public to Stop. Think. Call. before responding to a suspicious message that may be a scam

Millions of illegal tobacco products seized as part of crackdown on illicit tobacco trade

More than five million illegal cigarettes have been seized from local retail outlets in the first six months of the year as part of Operation CeCe, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.

Crackdown on criminal fish sellers continues across the North East

Criminal trader from County Durham receives custodial sentence

New crackdown launched in Wales to curb illegal puppy market

A new operation has been launched to tackle the growing number of illegal puppy farms following a multi-agency investigation led by National Trading Standards and Trading Standards Wales.

Doorstep crime to rise as office return gathers pace

Twin threats to vulnerable as criminals resume doorstep tactics whilst scaling up mass marketing scams; reports jump 76% during pandemic.

Banned estate agent sentenced for unlawfully engaging in estate agency work

A banned West Midlands estate agent has today been sentenced to a custodial sentence of six weeks, suspended for two years, and fined £4,000 at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to unlawfully engaging in estate agency work.

Birmingham man sentenced to four years imprisonment for running a counterfeit clothing factory

A Birmingham man has been sentenced today (23 August 2021) to four years imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court today after previously pleading guilty to 26 offences for manufacturing and selling fake designer clothes.

Cracking down on criminals who target self-storage industry

A new initiative is launched to crack down on criminals using self-storage facilities fraudulently.

Fish fraudsters sentenced to a combined total of 8 years

Today three mobile fish sellers who defrauded and knowingly misled elderly and vulnerable consumers out of approximately £325,000 have been sentenced to a combined total of 8 years at Teesside Crown Court.

36 million Brits targeted by a scammer so far this year

More than two thirds of British adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found.

Online retailers fined £179,755 for selling knives to children

Prosecutions follow National Trading Standards test purchasing programme

Improving material information on property listings

National Trading Standards is launching a new programme with input from property portals and industry groups to make it as easy as possible for estate and letting agents to provide basic essential material information.

Scam and nuisance phone calls return to pre-COVID-19 levels

New findings highlight a surge in the proportion of scam and nuisance calls as callers target people over the age of 70 to exploit new and unfamiliar processes associated with COVID-19, such as applying for swab tests and vaccines.

Public urged to help combat scam mail

Scamnesty launched to turn the tables on criminals

Conviction following investigation into drainage company

Southampton City Council’s Trading Standards service, working in partnership with the Regional Investigation Team, have secured a significant conviction against a rogue plumbing and drainage engineer.

North East fish fraudster jailed

A mobile fish seller who defrauded vulnerable households out of £100,000 has been sentenced today at Teesside Crown Court to 60 months in prison, reduced to 40 months for an early guilty plea.

​Disclosure of hidden referral fees should be made mandatory

Review into referral fees in the estate agency industry published

World Alzheimer’s Day: action on scams

Anyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.

Fraud network sentenced under Croydon-led nationwide case

Six people involved in duping vulnerable homeowners out of £400,700 for bogus roof repairs have been sentenced in a Croydon Council prosecution working with National Trading Standards.

New Covid-19 tactics to rip off consumers

Warning issued as criminals exploit new fraud opportunities

Trio sentenced to more than nine years for home improvement scam

Three scammers have been sentenced to a combined total of 9 ¼ years (111 months) at Birmingham Crown Court today (26 August 2020) for their part in running a fraudulent home improvement company in Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire.

Fall in knives sold by national retailers to children

The number of knives sold to children by national retailers appears to have fallen significantly, according to new test purchasing data published by National Trading Standards.

Husband and wife sentenced for driving school scam

A couple who mis-sold driving lessons to thousands of learner drivers across the country have been sentenced to 46 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, at Leeds Crown Court today (Friday 24th July) after pleading guilty to breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Rise in telephone scams predicted as lockdown eases

As COVID-19 lockdown measures start to ease, National Trading Standards is predicting a rise in scam telephone calls as illegitimate call centres around the world get back to work.

Jailed director ordered to pay back scam earnings

A company director has been ordered to return £150,000 to the public purse following a hearing today (2 July) at Leeds Crown Court.

Couple Sentenced for Online Plumbing Scam

A couple who ran an online plumbing services scam have each been sentenced to six months imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.

Prison sentence for council tax scammer

A criminal who ran a council tax scam across the North West has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison following a recent hearing at Liverpool Crown Court (22 May).

Businesses join forces to combat COVID-19 scams

More than 100 organisations are spearheading a new initiative to combat fraud against businesses as more companies and employees adjust to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their exposure to sophisticated business scams.

Protecting businesses from COVID-19 scams

Malicious email attachments, false government grant phone calls and CEO impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beware of COVID-19 scams

Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public’s concern and uncertainty over COVID-19.

​Time Behind Bars for Plumbing Criminals

Seven men have been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court for their part in a fraudulent emergency plumbing operation that preyed on victims across the country. Three of the men received custodial sentences totalling more than four years following an investigation by Trading Standards officers at Leicestershire County Council.

ISD supplier ordered to pay back more than £520,000

John Dodds must return money to 'public purse' after prison sentence for supplying illegal streaming devices

ASA will now refer property raffle complaints to NTSELAT

A new approach to handling complaints about ads for property raffles has been agreed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT).

Judge’s commendation for case against rogue trader

Judge Jeremy Jenkins commended Powys County Council yesterday at Merthyr Crown Court for prosecuting a rogue trader who targeted vulnerable males in Powys and South Wales and other parts of the UK in a ‘leather jacket’ scam.

Pair jailed for secondary ticketing fraud

Two ‘ticket touts’ from London have been sentenced to a total of six-and-a-half years behind bars following a ground-breaking hearing at Leeds Crown Court today. The sentences follow the first successful prosecution against a company fraudulently reselling tickets on a large scale.

Fairman by name, conman by nature

A tradesman from Swindon has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years at Bristol Crown Court today, Thursday 13th February 2020, after pleading guilty to two counts of fraudulent trading. He was also disqualified from being a director of a company for 8 years, must complete 160 hours unpaid work and wear an electronic tag for 3 months with curfew.

Father and stepdaughter ordered to pay back over £400,000

Two individuals have been ordered to pay back £424,560 for their part in a ‘leisure club’ scam. The confiscation orders were handed down at Birmingham Crown Court on 12 February 2020, where Dominic O’Reilly and Stephanie O’Reilly were ordered to pay £274,560 and £150,000 respectively for their part in running Eze Europe Ltd and linked businesses.

Estate agents urged to provide feedback on referral fees guidance

The National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team and The Property Ombudsman have today launched a survey to assess awareness and uptake of the transparency rules around referral fees linked to property buying and selling.

Trio found guilty of home improvement scam

Three individuals and a company have been found guilty of 34 offences for conning people into paying for overpriced, ineffective or unnecessary home improvement work and taking payment for work that was never even started. The convictions were handed down at Birmingham Crown Court on 31 January following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team in Central England, hosted by Birmingham City Council.

BBC Radio 4 report on ‘Quick Sale Agents’

Mail Scammers Found Guilty of Tricking Elderly Consumers

A company that sent out scam promotional mailings to elderly consumers has been fined £150,000 at York Magistrates’ Court today (21 January 2020) after being found guilty of tricking recipients into thinking they had won, or could win, substantial cash prizes. The company has also been ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170 and prosecution costs of £10,763.84.

Durham builder sentenced for misleading and aggressive business practices

A building company director from County Durham has been sentenced to 8 months in prison at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to 14 counts of using misleading and aggressive commercial practices.

Driveway Repair Criminal Ordered To Pay £150,000

A man found guilty of running a fraudulent tarmac repair business has been ordered to pay back £150,000 to his victims at a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Cardiff Crown Court. The POCA proceedings follow his five-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down in August 2018 for his crimes. Failure to pay this sum within three months could result in an additional prison sentence of two years.

Rise in Modern Slavery in Fraud and Scams

Organised crime groups are playing an increased role in doorstep crime and other scams, according to the annual Consumer Harm Report published today by National Trading Standards.

Lloyds Banking Group joins 'Friends Against Scams' campaign

National Trading Standards and Lloyds Banking Group have today announced a new partnership designed to prevent people falling victim to scams.

LGA joins national campaign to prevent scams

Free call blockers for victims of scam and nuisance phone calls

Free call blockers are being made available to people who believe they are being targeted with scam and nuisance phone calls. Between 1,800 and 2,000 call blockers are being provided on a first come, first served basis by the National Trading Standards Scams Team. Local authorities and care providers are expected to apply on behalf of victims – and individual applications from victims or family members will also be available.

Five sentenced following fraud case

The director and employees of an energy company that claimed to recover overpayments and VAT from UK energy suppliers for small businesses have been sentenced to a combined total of 13 years at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday 30 August).

Cold-calling fish seller ordered to repay victims

​A doorstep criminal who ran fish-selling businesses that contravened consumer protection regulations has been sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today (27 September). Adam Brown used a number of illegal sales techniques to exploit consumers, resulting in nearly £8,500 lost by consumers from nearly 60 transactions.

Criminals sentenced for money laundering fraudulent rental payments

Three London criminals have been sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering in April 2019. Two criminals were sentenced on 27 June 2019 and the third was sentenced on 21 September – all the sentences were handed down at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

New Resources to Educate Young People on Fraud and Scams

Friends Against Scams initiative to include adaptable interactive workshops for children aged 8-16

Retailers urged to do more to stop the sale of knives to under 18s

New test purchasing data* published today shows that children have been able to buy knives from small independent stores and some of the biggest names on the high street, despite the major retailers pledging** to stop the sale of knives to children.

Redress scheme warning for Estate and Letting Agents

Estate and Letting Agents in the UK are being urged to check that they are signed up with an approved redress scheme that covers the full remit of their work. The warning follows a recent tribunal that penalised a business that was signed up to a redress scheme for its letting agency work but not for its property management work.

Man Sentenced For Selling Illegal Satellite TV Boxes

A South Tyneside man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after admitting selling illegal satellite TV boxes.

Foyer Trader Convicted of Defrauding Customers

A man who operated a fraudulent business that sold kitchens and bathrooms to consumers out of Tesco supermarket foyers has received a 98 week prison sentence, suspended for 2 years, at Harrow Crown Court. He has also been ordered to complete 150 hours community service, pay Brent & Harrow Trading Standards costs of £59,354 and a statutory charge of £100.

Car Dealership Fined £50k For Consumer Breaches

A second-hand car dealer based in Keighley has been ordered to pay £53,567 for secondhand vehicle sales that misled consumers. The fines were handed down at Leeds Magistrates Court on 30 April 2019 after the company entered guilty pleas relating to six breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

New team to help ensure estate and letting agents act within the law

A new team has been set up to provide greater protection for renters in England from letting agents who charge illegal tenant fees. This follows legislation that will ban tenant fees in the private sector in England from 1 June 2019. The new enforcement team – being led by National Trading Standards – will be responsible for regulating the private rental sector in England, protecting tenants and safeguarding compliant letting agents.

Mother and son ordered to pay back customers for Dyson vacuum fraud

A mother and son who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuum cleaners have been ordered to pay back more than £370,000 at a proceeds of crime hearing at Leeds Crown Court. Thomas Scoffin, director of Leeds-based Excel Servicing Ltd, and his mother, Linda Scoffin, were convicted in 2017 of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced to a total of ten years in prison following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Suspected computer software fraudsters arrested

Three people suspected of being involved in computer fraud have been arrested. Trading standards officers and police officers executed entry warrants at the homes of a 64 year old man and a 34 year old woman in Birmingham, and a 34 year old man in Swindon. They have been interviewed and released pending further investigation. A 65 year old woman from Tamworth agreed to be interviewed by police without the need for arrest. A further suspect remains at large.

Father and daughter sentenced to 46 months for timeshare ‘leisure credit’ scam

​Following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Regional Investigation Team Central England, Dominic O’Reilly (55) of Costa Adeje, Tenerife was sentenced to a total of 28 months imprisonment and his step-daughter, Stephanie O’Reilly (30) of Dickens Heath, Solihull was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, for their part in a timeshare ‘leisure credit’ scam. 

Retailers must do more on knife sales

National Trading Standards is calling on retailers to do more to prevent knife crime after interim findings from a new programme of test purchasing revealed many were selling knives without undertaking required age verifications.

National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team launches new industry guidance on referral fees

National Trading Standards has today published new guidance on referral fees received by estate agents across the UK, which will make previously hidden fees open and transparent to consumers.

National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team launch new leasehold guidance

Today the National Trading Standards Estate Agency (NTSEAT) team has released a guide for consumers seeking redress for leasehold matters. This is the latest step taken by NTSEAT to help protect home buyers from confusing and complicated leasehold charges.

National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team seize thousands of counterfeit and unsafe goods

A joint operation between the National Trading Standards Regional Investigations Team Central England, Birmingham Trading Standards, West Midlands Police and partners including the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), the National Markets Group (NMG) and brand representatives, has resulted in the seizure of £2.5 million worth of counterfeit and unsafe products including clothing, jewellery and cosmetics.

Consumers failing to protect themselves from online fraud this sales season

Hunt for a bargain putting shoppers at risk of falling victim to online scams, warns National Trading Standards

Man sentenced to 10 months in prison for role in carpentry fraud

Following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Investigation Team (Wales), a 23 year old Newport man has today been sentenced to 10 months in prison and 180 hours unpaid work at Cardiff Crown Court for six offences of fraud. The prosecution was conducted by Newport City Council as two of the offences took place in the city.

Runaway criminal sentenced to seven and a half years for role in land banking fraud

The fifth man involved in a land banking scam where innocent victims were conned out of over £35 million has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and banned from being a company director for 15 years at Blackfriars Crown Court today. James Maynard is the final defendant to be sentenced in this case after fleeing the country before the original trial took place in March 2013.

Home Office fund expansion of Scam Marshals programme

National Trading Standards’ flagship Scam Marshals programme is to be expanded thanks to new funding from the Home Office as part of the government’s Loneliness Strategy.

Consumer Harm Report 2018

National Trading Standards’ annual Consumer Harm Report reveals more consumer detriment prevented and record prison sentences handed down. Report also highlights new and emerging threats facing consumers and businesses.

Driveway repair fraudster sentenced to five and a half years

A man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding vulnerable and elderly consumers across the country out of at least £300,000 at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court today. The sentencing follows a nationwide case taken by Powys County Council Trading Standards supported by the National Trading Standards Investigation Team Wales.

Passport service website operator sentenced

A man who operated websites which conned consumers out of £1.6m has been handed a one year suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £200,000 within 28 days at Leeds Crown Court today. The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty to breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 following a National Trading Standards investigation.

Successful project blocks over 100,000 nuisance calls

Telephone scammers who target vulnerable and elderly consumers with scams and nuisance telephone calls have been stopped in their tracks, with a National Trading Standards project blocking more than 100,000 unwanted calls in less than a year.

Website Owner Sentenced for Duping Consumers into thinking it was the DVLA

At Reading Crown Court on 20th June 2018, MICHAEL FREEMAN, 46, of Huntercombe Lane North, Taplow, Maidenhead, was sentenced to 9 months in custody suspended for a period of 2 years after pleading guilty to engaging in an unfair commercial practice in relation to a website www.drivinglicenses.org.uk that consumers thought was the DVLA. In addition the Court set a timetable for confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

NTSEAT launches agent survey into use of referral fees

National Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT), with the support of The Property Ombudsman and the Property Redress Scheme, have today launched a survey to assess the use of referral fees among estate agents.

Man who claimed to 'cure cancer' with blood test and food fined and handed Criminal Behaviour Order

A man who said he could cure diseases such as cancer and diabetes using just blood tests and food has been fined a total of £2,250 and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order at Blackfriars Crown Court today.

Seven sentenced for mobility product scam

Seven people have been sentenced to three years in prison at Cambridge Crown Court today for their role in a scam that targeted homeowners on their doorsteps.

Three sentenced to 10 years in prison for roles in home improvement fraud

Following a trial at Chester Crown Court that lasted 4 weeks, three people have been sentenced to a total of almost 10 years on Friday 16th March for their roles in a home improvement fraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Dreamwell couple ordered to pay £917,287

A husband and wife from Leeds convicted of consumer protection offences against vulnerable people have been ordered to pay back £917,287 under the Proceeds of Crime Act following a hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Call centre trader sentenced for role in computer repair scam

A call centre trader who misled consumers by claiming to be from Microsoft to carry out computer repairs has today [26 January 2018] been sentenced after pleading guilty to four unfair trading practices. Narendra Harilal Vadgama (age 56 of Babington Road, Barrow upon Soar, LE12 8NH), who traded under the name Internet Security Direct, admitted four charges brought under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Directors jailed for £300k plus claims scam

TWO company directors have each been jailed for three years after admitting a £300k plus claims scam involving fake compensation claims for mis-sold solar panels.

Criminal record checks fraudster sentenced

Man sentenced to five years and ten months for fraudulent business

National Trading Standards statement - secondary ticketing

Christmas shoppers forgo online safety checks

Concerns that Brits could put themselves at risk of online fraud this Christmas

National Trading Standards prevents £127 million in consumer losses

National Trading Standards (NTS) prevented nearly £127 million in losses to consumers and businesses over the last year, new figures from the third annual Consumer Harm Report reveal. This represents an increase of more than a third on last year and takes the total losses prevented by NTS over the last three years to nearly half a billion pounds (over £471 million).

Company director receives suspended prison sentence in unfair home improvement sales case

Today (Friday 3rd November) at Hull Crown Court Mohammed Usman (age 36) of Highfield Lane, Keighley was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years and ordered to pay £39,752 compensation to his customers and £17,778.59 prosecution costs.

Company boss facing prison after conning businesses into thinking cash was for emergency services

William Stringfellow, 51, of Killins Lane in Shotton, was convicted of conspiring to defraud at Mold Crown Court today (25th October). Stringfellow, who was the brains behind a company that conned businesses into believing it was a charity donating money to the emergency services, has been warned that he faces prison.

Criminals sentenced in copyright infringement cases

Two men have been sentenced today at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges relating to the sale of IPTV boxes which allowed people to illegally stream subscription content, infringing the rights of copyright holders. The convictions follow an investigation led by National Trading Standards.

Police day of action after victims report losing over £59m to Binary Options fraud

Action Fraud reports show that Binary Options fraud is a growing problem. In just the first half of 2017, 697 people reported to have lost over £18 million. The day of action used Operation Broadway tactics, mostly visiting businesses occupying serviced offices and reviewing their compliance documents.

Brothers sentenced for computer repair scam

Two brothers who ran a computer repair scam across England and Wales were sentenced to a total of four and a half years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (6th October). This sentencing follows a lengthy investigation led by the National Trading Standards Central England Regional Investigations Team.

Ten years jail total for mother and son’s vacuum servicing fraud

A mother and son who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuums have been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (25 September) for a total ten years for conspiracy to defraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Man convicted after fulfillment house investigation

Thousands of dangerous and unsafe electrical products including children’s tablets and nail UV lamps have been seized after a trading standards investigation in Swansea.

Man behind call blocker scam ordered to pay £128,950

A rogue trader who defrauded hundreds of people and is currently serving a five year prison sentence following his conviction for fraud at Bournemouth Crown Court, has now been ordered to pay £128,950 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Duo convicted of major vacuum servicing fraud

Two people who ran a company that fraudulently serviced Dyson vacuums have been convicted at Leeds Crown Court of conspiracy to defraud following an investigation by National Trading Standards.

Make sure advertising claims are accurate, estate agencies are reminded

Estate agency businesses are being reminded to ensure that their advertising claims are accurate and truthful.

Shoppers swindled after buying ‘phantom goods’

More and more people are being caught out by ‘phantom goods’ scams costing them an average of £1,100, Citizens Advice says.

Rogue trader who conned the elderly jailed

A rogue trader who preyed on the vulnerable and defrauded 21 elderly victims out of £108,000 over almost two years has been jailed.

£1.3m in ill-gotten gains seized from Derby-based advertising fraudsters

Four leading figures of a multi-million pound fraud involving a Derby-based company mis-selling advertising space have been ordered to hand over a combined £1.3m from their ill-gotten gains at a Nottingham Crown Court hearing today (Friday 12 May).

Government helps dementia sufferers in fight against nuisance calls

Prime Minister Theresa May announces plan to give elderly and vulnerable people hi-tech devices to block nuisance calls.

Four men sentenced to 11 years and 9 months in building fraud case

Three men were sentenced today to a total of 11 years and 1 month for running a fraudulent property repair business which targeted elderly and vulnerable consumers across the Midlands, following a three week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. These sentences came after a fourth individual had already been sentenced on 17th March for his part in the scam.

Blue Badge Online Scammer Fined

A man and his company who misled disabled people into paying £49 a time for Blue Badge parking permits was sentenced to financial penalties totalling £15,457.35 today (29 March 2017) at York Magistrates’ Court.

Hartlepool man convicted of selling illegal media boxes

​A man who sold illegal media player boxes which allowed the free viewing of premium television content has pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to breaching the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988, following an investigation by the National Trading Standards North East Regional Investigations Team and Hartlepool Borough Council.

Total 40 months jail for Dreamwell couple

A husband and wife from Leeds convicted of consumer protection offences against vulnerable people have been sentenced to a total 40 months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today (3rd March).

National Trading Standards issues bogus helpline scam warning

National Trading Standards is warning consumers about a new scam targeting those looking for help with printer problems. The warning comes after a rise in the number of cases seen by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team.

Leicester sales person has received a 22-month suspended sentence for pressurising and misleading advertising cold calls

A criminal who misled and pressurised elderly and vulnerable people into paying for advertising worth £88,239 has received a 22-month suspended sentence at Nottingham Crown Court today (Thursday 9 February).

Property fraudster jailed after National Trading Standards investigation

A property fraudster has been jailed following his conviction on 9 counts of fraud, theft and forgery. Tahir Khaliq was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court. His accomplice Paul Dickinson; acting as an employee in the property businesses received a two-year suspended sentence and 240 hours of community service for his involvement in 6 counts of insurance fraud. Their convictions follow a lengthy investigation by the National Trading Standards North West Regional Investigations Team.

Statement from National Trading Standards

Following media coverage this morning regarding repeat victims lists, National Trading Standards has published the following statement.

Conman jailed over fake phone accessories

A man from Gosforth, Newcastle has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to nine offences relating to the possession and sale of counterfeit items and one offence of transferring criminal property, following an investigation by the National Trading Standards Scambuster North East Team and Newcastle Trading Standards.

Products Worth Millions Seized In Counterfeiting Crackdown

Action taken as part of fourth phase of Operation Jasper, the biggest enforcement operation ever seen in the UK to combat counterfeiting and piracy on social media

Conman captured after absconding from Court

Michael Patrick Phelan (61) finally started his prison sentence yesterday (15 December), having been arrested in Bournemouth on 13th December by Dorset Police.

National Trading Standards response to National Audit Office report

Responding to today’s National Audit Office report Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

Alarm Fraudster Sent To Prison

A cold calling criminal who conned elderly and vulnerable people out of over £150,000 has been sentenced to five years imprisonment today and disqualified from being a company director for eight years for his part in a fraudulent home alarm business.

Warning To Consumers About Growing Online Threat

Consumers are being deceived through the clever use of digital technologies and this is behind a number of emerging threats, including counterfeit and dangerous goods being advertised on social media platforms and misleading listings on online portals. The threats have been identified by National Trading Standards in its annual ‘Consumer Harm Report’, which highlights the types of scams people should look out for and how to report suspected criminal activity.

Prison Sentence For Man Behind Call Blocker Scam

A rogue trader who defrauded hundreds of people has been sentenced to five years in prison and disqualified from being a director for ten years, following his conviction for fraud at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Criminals Sentenced To 15 Years Following Multi-Million Pound Advertising Fraud

A managing director and four co-directors of a Derby-based company have today (Friday 28 October) been sentenced to a total of 15 and half years at Nottingham Crown Court for their part in a multi-million pound fraud involving the mis-selling of advertising space to companies across the UK and Europe.

Conman sentenced to 7 ½ years for fraud and theft

A man from Stourbridge was sentenced today to 7 ½ years imprisonment, having been found guilty yesterday of 33 offences of fraud and theft for running a business franchise scam between 1997 and 2010. The conviction and sentencing follows a lengthy investigation by the National Trading Standards Central England Scambuster Team and a trial lasting over 4 weeks.

​New Campaign To Tackle Criminal Scams Launched

A new campaign has launched today to raise awareness of scams and encourage people to take a stand against them. Scams often target people in vulnerable situations - the Friends Against Scams campaign aims to protect and prevent these people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’.

Additional guidance on estate agency redress scheme membership issued

Additional guidance on who should join an approved redress scheme if they work within the estate agency industry has today been issued.

Pair jailed over fraudulent construction work

A father and son who defrauded fifteen victims in South Wales of more than £70,000 have been sentenced today (29 September) to four and two years respectively at Cardiff Crown Court.

Statement responding to The Property Ombudsman’s update to its Code of Practice

James Munro, Team Leader of the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team, said:

Alarm fraudster convicted

A cold calling criminal who conned elderly and vulnerable people out of over £150,000 has been found guilty at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 22 September) of fraud and for breaching Consumer Protection legislation for his part in a fraudulent home alarm business.

Scams campaign scoops award

The National Trading Standards Scams Team has seen its pioneering Friends Against Scams campaign recognised at the Government Counter Fraud Awards. The NTS Scams Team scooped the Excellence in Fraud Awareness award for the campaign.

Massive haul of dangerous goods destroyed

Over £232,000 worth of dangerous products destroyed

Estate agents warned over 'portal juggling'

​Illegal practice that misleads homebuyers on property websites in the spotlight.

New warning over scam mail

Nearly 750,000 pieces of scam mail have been prevented from entering the UK postal system in the last three months

Operation Tackling Counterfeiting on Social Media Expands

Operation Jasper extended its reach into Eire in June and begins operating in Scotland this July as officers from Trading Standards and the Police in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are joined by their Scottish and Irish equivalents in the fight against social media counterfeiting. The move is part of the latest phase of Operation Jasper, which was launched in May 2015 to tackle counterfeiting and piracy on social media.

Sibling criminals sentenced to three years in debt recovery scam

Two criminals behind an elaborate debt recovery scam – which defrauded victims across the country out of tens of thousands of pounds – were sentenced to more than three years in prison at Chester Crown Court today (5 July). Mohammed Ali and Samira Saddique – who are brother and sister – pleaded guilty to offences of conspiracy to defraud and fraud by false representation. Ali was sentenced to 15 months in prison, whilst his sister Saddique received a two-year prison sentence. Both have also been disqualified from holding company directorships for five years.

Husband pleads guilty, wife pleads not guilty to charges of £90k high-pressure sales to vulnerable consumers

A husband and wife from Leeds charged with consumer protection offences against vulnerable customers have, at Leeds Crown Court today (4 July 2016), given opposing pleas.

Redcar builder sentenced for unfair trading practices

A Redcar builder who cheated residents out of more than £30,000 has been sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined £6,000 after pleading guilty to a number offences at Teesside Crown Court.

South West Scambusters bring fraudulent trader to justice

A parking fraudster who was sentenced to 16 months in prison back in September has now been ordered to pay more than £150,000.

Father and son who targeted elderly consumers convicted

Victims were intimidated into paying hundreds of pounds for shoddy driveway repairs

Doorstep criminals who preyed on vulnerable are sentenced

Two criminals have each been sentenced to two years, suspended for two years, after swindling around 80 customers - including a wheelchair bound couple - out of an estimated total of £291,000 for shoddy and unnecessary housing repair works.

Prison sentences for unfair trading by kitchen businesses

Six people sentenced to go to prison for a total of 5 years 9 months after judge hears testimony from over 300 victims.

South Wales quartet banned from estate agency work

Estate agent banned following successful legal action by National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team

An order banning a Brentwood man from estate agency work has taken effect after successful legal action by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT).

National Trading Standards partners with Home Instead to tackle elderly fraud

A new partnership between the National Trading Standards Scams Team and home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care, will place Home Instead’s 8,000 caregivers at the forefront of a new scambusting initiative.

Buying tickets online - checklist

People desperate to attend major pop concerts, music festivals and sporting events this summer face a greater risk of falling victim to criminals after online ticket fraud soared by 55 per cent.

Three sentenced in criminal solar panel scam case

Justice served for 90 victims duped out of £30,000

Car dealer sentenced to six years for failing to repay £6.2m

Kirk Michael Claus (aged 51) of Slate Delf Farm, Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd has been sentenced to over six years in jail for failing to pay back £6.2 million gained from criminal activity

Criminals to pay back almost £130,000 in compensation to vulnerable residents

More than 35 victims who were ruthlessly targeted on their own doorsteps by a rogue building company have seen justice served after the company’s sole director, William Henry King, was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Maidstone Crown Court.

Criminal solar panel firm owners convicted of fraud

Philip Mark Harris (49) of Kingsbridge Devon and Roy John O’Grady (45) of Olton Road Solihull have been found guilty of fraud following a four-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

​Scam Email Warning

In recent days fraudulent emails have been circulating offering compensation for a so-called “Microsoft Support Scam”.

Five People Sentenced For £5.2m Publishing Fraud

Five people have been sentenced for being part of a £5.2m publishing fraud which affected thousands of victims from across the country.

Latest court success helps protect local communities

The National Trading Standards Scambuster Team East Midlands has welcomed the latest crown court outcome against a criminal who preyed on older and vulnerable people on their own doorsteps.

Warnings over call recording services

The National Trading Standards e-crime Team is concerned about the possibility of fraud after a recent upsurge in call recording services, which people are using to provide proof of phone conversations with banking staff in the event of disputes.

Trading Standards seize thousands of unsafe products

Electrical products detained in the run-up to Christmas

32,000 hoverboards now assessed as unsafe at our ports and borders

Minister hails counterfeiting crackdown on social media a success

Enforcement teams raided premises across the country last week as Operation Jasper, the UK’s biggest crackdown on counterfeiting and piracy enabled through social media, entered its second phase.

Thousands of unsafe ‘hoverboards’ detained over past seven weeks

Latest figures from National Trading Standards and trading standards services in Scotland reveal more than 15,000 self-balancing scooters detained at UK points of entry. Major safety risks identified include issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery or cut-off switch.

Poundstretcher gets massive fine for selling dodgy batteries

High street discount retailer Poundstretcher has been fined £350,000 for selling tens of thousands of dodgy batteries that were potentially harmful to young children.

Internet millionaire jailed over pyramid-selling scam

An internet conman is today behind bars after being found guilty of operating a series of online pyramid selling schemes.

Consumers saved from losing £252m to rogue traders in a year

Inaugural National Trading Standards ‘Consumer Harm Report’ reveals annual data and predicts biggest threats for 2016 including energy, lottery and telephone preference scams.

Business grant online scam warning from Sutton Council

Sutton Council has advised small businesses in the borough to be vigilant if approached about online grant advertising after a Buckinghamshire man received a suspended sentence for an elaborate grants scam that targeted businesses across the UK.

Third UK redress scheme approved

A third UK redress for the property sales sector has been approved by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.

Dangerous fancy-dress costumes and toys to be destroyed

Dangerous goods bound for the streets of Tyneside have been detained by National Trading Standards and will be destroyed after a stash of more than 1,000 items was impounded at the Port of Felixstowe.

Parking fraudster sent to prison

Leslie Smith of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, trading as “Ringway Traffic Management”, “Traffic Management Solutions” and “Highway Safety Link”, was sentenced today at Bristol Crown Court to 16 months imprisonment for Fraudulent Trading contrary to Section 9 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Feed Hygiene Explained

National Trading Standards has produced a leaflet, which aims to explain the importance of feed hygiene enforcement and the impact of the National Trading Standards Feed Delivery Programme.

Don’t get caught in the “New iPhone for £1” trap

Apple is expected to unveil a new iPhone this week and the National Trading Standards eCrime Team is urging consumers to be on the lookout for criminals trying to exploit the hype by flooding popular social media platforms with misleading adverts and bogus offers.

Estate agency enforcement toolkit available for trading standards

A new and innovative enforcement toolkit which has been designed to assist local authority trading standards enforcement staff to determine the levels of compliance of local estate agents has been launched.

Arrests following seizures of New Psychoactive Substances

Two individuals have this week been arrested following an investigation into the manufacture and supply of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) or ‘legal highs’.

Business grant scammer sentenced for online fraud

A criminal who ran an elaborate business grants scam online was jailed yesterday for 18 months, suspended for two years.

Updated property sales guidance issued

An updated version of the Guidance of Property Sales has today (Tuesday 1 September) been launched by the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team.

Ticket Warning to Rugby World Cup Fans

Advice issued to supporters buying remaining tickets.

​Hampshire County Council Trading Standards welcomes successful prosecution of counterfeit traders

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards has welcomed a successful outcome in the courts, after three market traders were handed suspended sentences this week for selling counterfeit clothing at a Hampshire market. 

Wakefield criminals guilty of VAT fraud and scamming elderly victims

Two people were today sentenced by HH Judge Marson QC for their activities whilst operating a West Yorkshire based Home Improvement Business and a mobility aid business Adjust 4 Life Ltd.

Vulnerable consumers saved over £5 million

Fight against mail scams intensifies during Scams Awareness Month

Council worker launches national scams team to protect the vulnerable

Louise Baxter received a Hero Award at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday 2 July for the significant contribution she made to consumer protection in East Sussex, over and above her professional role.

Copycat websites warning following further arrests

Arrests at copycat website company after a surge of consumer complaints. National Trading Standards is once again warning consumers to be vigilant about ‘copycat’ websites – and to report suspect sites – following the arrest of five people this morning.

Landmark crackdown on social media counterfeiting and piracy launched

Biggest enforcement operation ever seen in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland launched to combat piracy on social media

Cheap flights scam grounded

Investigators from the National Trading Standards eCrime team based in York and North Yorkshire have brought a national travel company and its sole director to justice. TravelnTravel.co.uk lured consumers with the promise of cheap flights, but failed to honour them.

Notts criminals sentenced for scam targeting the elderly and vulnerable

A Nottinghamshire-based gang that scammed pensioners of sums estimated to run into millions of pounds has been sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday 12th June 2015).

South West Scambusters dismantle counterfeiting operation

Two men from Weston-super-Mare have been convicted of trading in counterfeit goods following a lengthy investigation that uncovered more than 10,000 counterfeit items.

Operation Kennet Cameo Auction Fraud Investigation

On 6 Mar 2015, the successful conclusion to Operation Kennet was heard in Reading Crown Court after a complicated two year investigation by West Berkshire Council Trading Standards Service.

Warning Over Millions of Unsafe Products Arriving at Our Ports and Borders

Latest figures from National Trading Standards reveal nearly two million unsafe or noncompliant products were identified between April and December 2014. Children’s toys, cosmetics and DIY products are biggest offenders.

‘Buy Safe’ Checklist

Although it’s difficult to be 100% certain that a website or seller you are buying from is legitimate, there are some simple things you can do to increase the odds that you’re buying from an honest trader. Here is National Trading Standards’ new checklist to help you buy safe online.

Luxury cars seized by Scambusters go under the hammer

Five Bentleys, a Ferrari and other prestige vehicles seized from criminals are being auctioned tomorrow (Friday 27 February) following an investigation by a York-based National Trading Standards Team.

Local ‘Oral B’ scammer sentenced

Jocelyn Hunter of Willows Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire was convicted today at Swindon Crown Court of conspiracy to import and distribute counterfeit goods and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

Pair fined for running Green Deal business

Two men who misled consumers through a Cardiff-based green deal business have been fined at Cardiff Crown Court in a prosecution brought by Newport City Council and the National Trading Standards Scambusters Team of Wales.

£6.5 million payback ordered for West Yorkshire rogue car dealers

A judge has ordered £6.5 million payback under the Proceeds of Crime Act as a result of what is believed to be the UK’s largest seizure of vehicles from a single rogue trader.

Council Tax Re-Banding Scammers Sentenced

Three people at the heart of a country-wide council tax re-banding scam were today sentenced by His Honour Judge Kearl QC at Leeds Crown Court, following a year-long investigation and prosecution by the National Trading Standards Scambuster Team.

Closing In On Doorstep Criminals

Communities urged to support vulnerable residents and report doorstep callers.

Over £100,000 Returned During Scam Mail Crackdown

More than 6,000 people have had money returned to them as a result of a new crackdown on prize draw mail scams.

Rogue trader jailed for failing to pay back proceeds of crime money

A Carmarthenshire rogue trader was jailed for 19 months after he failed to pay money back to the victims of his rogue trading.

Royal Mail and Trading Standards Launch New Joint Initiative to Tackle Scam Mail

Royal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a new initiative to tackle scam mail in the postal system

Wise up to the Web

Avoid being conned by deceptive websites.

​‘WISE UP TO THE WEB’: avoid being conned by deceptive websites

Prize Draw Mail Scams

In June 2014 the National Trading Standards Scams Team and Royal Mail launched an initiative to return seized responses to prize draw mail scams before the money reached the hands of scammers.