One gang of eight men have been jailed for a multi-million pound counterfeiting scheme. The gang had been arrest after a 12-month undercover operation by South Yorkshire Police in which more than £230,000 was recovered. The men, from South Yorkshire, Leeds, East Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire, London and Norfolk, had been distributing what were described as high quality counterfeit £20 notes and 50 euro notes from London. They had admitted either conspiracy to supply counterfeit currency or conspiracy to defraud the Bank of England at Sheffield Crown Court. The group also made counterfeit £2 and £1 coins and a smelt for the manufacture of the coins was recovered.
Photo by Yorkshire Post: £20 notes and 50 euro notes foundDetectives launched an investigation in 2008 and the gang, who were involved in passing fake £20 and 50 euro notes as well as £2 and £1 coins, were eventually trapped by an undercover police officer. South Yorkshire Police said the group was linked to the "organised wholesale distribution of counterfeit currency running into millions of pounds". A total of £237,000 was recovered from the group of men, although it is believed they are responsible for the distribution of much more. He said that since the arrests, the Bank of England has seen a reduction in the number of counterfeit £20 notes registered on their database.
Photo by Yorkshire Post: (top left to right) Yasin Patel, 45, Derrick Davies, 46, Malcolm Moate, 56, Michael Kinghorn, 63, (bottom left to right) Peter Edwards, 57, Michael Maddon, 66, Norman Oliver, 62 and Terence Quinn, 59.Derrick Davies, 46, of Grove Road, Attleborough, Norfolk, who was jailed for five years and three months. Malcolm Moate, 56, of Landsdowne Close, Barnsley, and Yasin Patel, 45, of Glenfield Close, Lancashire, were sentenced to four years each. Peter Edwards, of 57, Pickard Street, London, was given a two-and-half year jail term. Michael Maddon, 66, of Beckett Street, Leeds, and Norman Oliver, 62, from Goole, each received an 18-month sentence. Michael Kinghorn, 63, of Strafford Street, Barnsley, was imprisoned for 16 months. Terence Quinn, 59, of Briglsey House, Immingham, who was jailed for 12 months.
That is one big catch by a police. But in my opinion, that counterfeit money will keep coming in because people became more greedy everyday. This organized crime has been around for quiet some time. For some people, doing crime is far more easy then doing an actual work, if you don't get caught though.
Source: BBC News, Yorkshire Post.
