Anthony France @NewsFrenchTony
Adrian Browne, a 28-year-old man from South London, has been jailed for 18 months after admitting to a £32,000 identity fraud scheme. Browne targeted post boxes near communal flats between May and March 2022, stealing personal information from letters banks sent to customers. Using this stolen information, he opened new credit accounts in the victims’ names and applied for credit cards.
The fraudster was arrested at his home by detectives from the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), who discovered credit and debit cards, as well as bank statements, for 81 different identities linked to Browne’s crimes. In total, 94 items were recovered during the investigation, solidifying his involvement in the scam.
Many of Browne’s victims were unaware that their personal details had been stolen and their credit scores damaged. However, all of them were reimbursed by the banks for the financial loss. A police spokesperson stated that Browne “callously stole personal and private information” to fraudulently obtain bank accounts and credit, with no concern for the harm caused to the victims.
The crime was part of a rising trend in identity theft, with UK Finance reporting a 57% increase in card identity theft during the first half of 2023, totaling £33.1 million.
Fortunately, Browne’s activities were swiftly detected and stopped, preventing further losses. The case highlights the importance of ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the banking industry in tackling financial crime.
Browne’s 18-month sentence serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of identity theft and fraud. The DCPCU, a partnership between UK Finance and both the City of London and Metropolitan Police, continues to combat such crimes in the UK.
