Operation Warsaw
Humberside Police Economic Crime Unit secured the conviction of Derek George, also known as Derek Hall aged 39 from Hull for fraud offences in October 2006.
The defendant pleaded guilty to 2 counts of obtaining services by deception, 5 counts of obtaining money transfers by deception and other fraud offences to the total value of £74,981.55. He was sentenced in February 2007 to a term of imprisonment at Hull Crown Court.
This was a sophisticated series of deceptions involving opening bank accounts, credit card accounts and involved other financial products which were subsequently used to obtain goods and cash. Each account was exploited to the maximum limit and no repayments were made.
The case was referred to the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team to conduct a confiscation investigation and as a consequence a Confiscation Order in the sum of £250,229.80 was made against the defendant on 19th September 2008 at Hull Crown Court. He was given 6 months to pay with a default sentence of 3 years. The court declared his benefit from crime to be £494,241.58.
DCI Steve Waite, Head of the North East Regional Asset Recovery Team said “This is a prime example of what can be achieved by partnership working. This defendant has benefitted from his crimes and has now been ordered by the court to repay his ill-gotten gains. This sends out a clear message that crime does not pay and reassures the public that the law enforcement agencies are working hard to secure convictions and strip the criminals of the proceeds of their crimes. If you think someone is living beyond their means or is committing crime call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”