Criminal network that laundered £331k sentenced following Trading Standards investigation

Yesterday (21st May 2026) at Guildford Crown Court, final sentences were dished out to a criminal network that laundered a total of £331,223 stolen from victims, following a Trading Standards investigation. One individual at the centre of the operation was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

The group were initially on trial from 22 September to 13 November 2025, which resulted in multiple guilty verdicts for money laundering. Lee Cross, 54 years old and originally from Romford, was at the centre of the organised network, and was also convicted of fraud.

And this week at Guildford Crown Court the network received their sentences, which were as follows:

• Lee Cross – 8 years and 7 months
• Sorisa Richardson (45, Romford) – 12-month community order with rehabilitation activity requirement
• Zoe Hoskyn (40, Hornchurch) – 2 years suspended and 12 month rehabilitation order
• Jason Walker (35, Blackburn) – 2 years suspended and 180 hours unpaid work (25% credit for guilty plea)
• Pauline Walker (70, Romford) – 22 months suspended

Today’s sentencing marks the culmination of a longstanding Trading Standards investigation, supported by the National Trading Standards Tri Regional Investigations Team and Essex Police. Between February and September 2019, fraudsters operating across Surrey, Essex and London pressured victims into paying large sums for unnecessary or poorly executed building works. Homeowners were misled with claims of urgent repairs and asked to pay deposits for cranes and scaffolding that were never required or provided.

Investigators uncovered a network of money launderers who facilitated the movement of criminal proceeds, with Lee Cross at the centre. Cross operated numerous business bank accounts under different trading names, including A-Z Repairs. Evidence showed Cross was aware of the frauds and provided banking infrastructure to launder funds, moving money rapidly between accounts and withdrawing large amounts in cash.

The network laundered a total of £331,223, stolen from victims through multiple bank accounts.

In Epsom, two elderly siblings lost around £148,000 after being repeatedly pressured into paying for work to the outside of their house that didn’t need to be done.

Amanda Poole, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards Assistant Director, said: “Today’s sentencing marks the final step in bringing these doorstep fraudsters to justice, and most importantly, means the man at the heart of this operation – Lee Cross – will be behind bars. The sentences delivered today should serve as a warning to those who seek to profit from such crimes.

“Today’s sentences are also a testament to the vital, diligent work undertaken by our Trading Standards officers, and those of our partners, in protecting our residents from harm. I’d like to thank them all for their work on this investigation.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “This criminal network profited from the exploitation of elderly and vulnerable people and pressured victims into handing over vast, sometimes life-changing, sums of money for unnecessary and poor-quality work. The harm caused by this type of fraud goes far beyond the money stolen, often leaving victims robbed of their confidence, independence and peace of mind.

“This investigation uncovered a vast network designed to move and hide stolen money, all while victims were left counting the cost. Today’s sentences show that those who enable and profit from exploiting victims can expect to face justice.”

For advice on uninvited doorstep callers:

• Don’t deal with doorstep callers
• If you do talk, don’t agree to anything on the spot. If you do agree for work to be carried out, they are legally required to give you a written notice explaining you have the right to a 14 day cooling off period.
• Get quotes from at least two or three other companies before making a decision. Make sure everything is in writing.
• Do not pay cash on your doorstep nor large amounts up front for work.

Before employing anyone to carry out work, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards urge residents to follow more advice on their website that includes what to ask and look out for. Please visit: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/consumer-advice/finding-a-trader/choosing-a-reputable-trader.

To find out more about scams and how to keep yourself safe from them, please visit: Trading Standards – Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)