A serial shoplifter, Narinder Kaur, 54, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating a nationwide fraud scheme that defrauded top high street retailers out of £500,000.
Kaur traveled extensively across the UK, visiting cities like Shrewsbury, Telford, and Dudley to deceive retailers into refunding her for items she had stolen. Between July 2015 and February 2019, she targeted well-known stores including Boots, Debenhams, John Lewis, Monsoon, House of Fraser, and TK Maxx, committing over a thousand fraudulent transactions.
At Gloucester Crown Court, it was revealed that Kaur would enter stores, take items, and present them at the checkout as if they were purchased. She created a complex web of deceit, using sob stories to manipulate cashiers into processing refunds. For instance, Kaur received £60,787 from Boots after spending only £5,172, while she claimed £42,853 from Debenhams against just £3,681 spent.
The court heard that Kaur’s fraudulent activities were highly organized and sustained, with a significant impact on the retailers involved. Investigators uncovered around £150,000 in cash and stolen goods during police searches of her home.
Judge Ian Lawrie KC described Kaur’s offenses as “a veritable tsunami of dishonesty,” emphasizing the extensive geographical reach and persistent nature of her crimes. Despite her defense citing mental health issues and past victimization, the judge imposed a substantial sentence, noting the severe consequences of her actions on a large scale.