Kent Police recovered almost £1M for a Canadian victim of an investment scam, part of Operation Henhouse.
Police investigated a company in north Kent because its financial activity looked odd. Money flowed strangely in company accounts.The company claimed it was software and tech, but the finances didn’t match that description.
Financial investigators froze £960,000 in the firm’s four accounts. They looked at money going into the company, and studied currency and crypto exchanges, too. They spoke with partners in the UK and other countries.
They found a Canadian victim who paid money to a company.He thought it was a real investment firm, but it was a trick. On February 5, the court sent funds back to the victim in Canada.
The court hearing was part of Operation Henhouse, a national initiative by police. It helps fund operations against fraudsters. From February 2 to 10, officers arrested seven people linked to different scams.
These included impersonating a police officer, and scams involving solar panels and credit cards. Six people were released pending investigation, while one person got released without charges. Police sent warning letters to two others.
These letters went to a rogue trader and one person selling cars online using scams. Officers are watching their activities.
Kent Police will chase criminals relentlessly, investigating crimes that cross borders. They follow money trails all over the world. Police will work with other forces to bring fraudsters to justice and help victims get money back.