SEVERAL warrants have been carried out to combat fraud and money laundering across the South East – including Aylesbury.

The warrants were executed throughout February at by officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Six warrants and two additional arrest attempts in coordination with partner agencies, at properties and locations in Aylesbury as well as Southampton, Hastings, Woking, Milton Keynes, Watford, and Stoke on Trent, making a total of seven arrests.

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Seven people have been arrested, one person interviewed voluntarily and a total of 12 cease and desist orders have been issued.

A number of items relating to fraud and money laundering have also been seized, including bank material and electronic devices.

Detective Inspector Tom Bradshaw, of SEROCU’s proactive economic crime team, said: “These sorts of crimes are abhorrent and can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We will not tolerate these offenders and will look to tackle them at every opportunity.

“Money mules’ are one of the most important enablers of fraud. Fraudsters and other criminals use multiple ‘mule’ accounts to make it harder for banks and police to track them down.

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“’Mules’ usually get recruited because they are given a cut of the stolen money, meaning that they become involved in money laundering – a serious criminal offence with a maximum sentenced of 14 years in prison for the worst offenders.”