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Five money launderers have been jailed for exploiting victims through fraud and romance fraud for over £2 million

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Thursday 2 October 2025 by Jill Powell

Five money launderers have been sentenced/jailed for exploiting victims including through a so-called ‘romance’ fraud worth £2.37 million. Fawaz Ali, 27, Ebenezer Tackie, 42, Michael Quartey, 28, were found guilty of money laundering offences after trial and sentenced to four years and 10 months imprisonment, four years and six months imprisonment, and five years and six months imprisonment respectively at Guildford Crown Court today.

Kwabena Edusei, 37, who had previously admitted conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, supplying articles for use in fraud and possession of ID documents with an improper intention was sentenced to seven years and 10 months imprisonment. George Melseaux, 40, who admitted money laundering and possession of ID documents with an improper intention was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment.

To run the romance fraud, Edusei and others created fake profiles and fictional biographies on dating websites to trick their victims. They used flirtatious language to manipulate people into thinking they were entering into a genuine loving and caring relationship.

But this all was a build up to the fraudsters asking victims for money for fake reasons including loans to pay for business trips gone wrong, fines being incurred in remote locations or a stolen wallet and urgently needing money to pay these off. Victims transferred money to the bank accounts of the men or even sent cash in the post. This romance fraud was repeated many times until the victims had no money left or become suspicious and stopped making payments and alerted the authorities.

Payments were then laundered through the bank accounts of the criminals. There were 40 confirmed victims of romance fraud but the total number of suspected victims of fraud was 99. The total amount of funds lost by all victims through romance fraud is estimated to be around £1.8 million.

Jane Mitchell, a Specialist Prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“The criminals here showed complete disregard for their victims who were met on an online dating website for the sole purpose of exploiting and scamming them out of money. They used grooming tactics to gain trust, which caused terrible emotional distress to victims. None of them had any of the money repaid. We want to encourage all those who think they’ve been a victim of romance fraud not to feel embarrassed or ashamed, instead please report it. A fraud like this only succeeds if there is a willing network to launder this criminal money through their bank accounts. We hope these sentences offer some comfort to the multiple victims in this case.”

Surrey Police Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Shaw said:

“This was a very lengthy and complex investigation which involved victims who all fell prey to the manipulation and cruelty of this organised crime group. While only 40 victims reported the fraud and went on to provide statements, our enquiries show that there wear at least another 59 who were conned. Romance fraudsters gain their victim’s trust and build a relationship with them. They make everything about the romance feel normal, but their aim is to get money or personal information.”

Stop! Think Fraud. Fraudsters aren’t fussy. They’ll pick on anyone.

Nobody is immune from fraud. The criminals behind it target people online and, in their homes, often emotionally manipulating their victims before they steal money or personal data.

But there is something we can do. By staying vigilant and always taking a moment to stop, think and check whenever we’re approached, we can help to protect ourselves and each other from fraud.

Members of the public are encouraged to:

- Stop and think before parting with your money or information in order to keep you safe;

- Challenge whether the information or request you have received could be fake. It is ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests as only criminals will try to rush or panic you;

- Protect yourself by reporting any scams you think you have fallen for to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and to your bank immediately.

The CPS is committed to working alongside the government and law enforcement to provide a multi-agency response to combat romance fraud and money laundering. CPS prosecutors work to seek justice in a variety of cases including those that cause the greatest harm to the public especially vulnerable victims.

Paedophile ex-schoolteacher jailed for multiple child sexual abuse offences

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Tuesday 30 September 2025

A former maths teacher has been sentenced for the sexual abuse of numerous girls and multiple child sexual abuses of young girls.

Syed Shahreear Ahmed, 36, has been found guilty of 21 criminal charges including, grooming, sexual activity with a child, taking and making indecent images of a child, rape, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, extended for five years.

Ahmed was a maths teacher at a secondary school in Essex until he resigned after his arrest in May 2023.

An investigation by the Metropolitan Police and subsequent prosecution review and analysis of his two smartphones showed that he had been in contact with numerous girls and young women on social media, making arrangements to meet them and engage in sexual activity.

Claire Brinton, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Syed Ahmed targeted his young, often vulnerable victims via social media platforms with the sole aim of grooming them for child sexual abuse. He pretended to be a 16-17 year old male and arranged to meet the victims so that he could rape and sexually assault them knowing that they were under 16 years of age. He kept imagery of much of his abuse on his devices.The lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused to victims by men like Ahmed cannot be understated.

“We would like to thank the victims in this case for coming forward and reporting this devastating crime. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

“I encourage any victims of child sexual abuse and sexual violence to report the crimes committed against them to the police. You are not alone and there is always help available.”

Detective Inspector Peter Harvey, from the Met Police’s Specialist Crime – Complex Case and Exploitation, said:

“It is due to the bravery of the girls who came forward that we have been able to achieve this outcome and I thank them for providing the evidence needed to ensure Ahmed will face a long term of imprisonment.

“During a long-running and complex investigation alongside Cambridgeshire, Thames Valley, Essex and Kent Police, we were able to piece together Ahmed’s offending.

“He would track children online, before quickly manufacturing a personal meeting and carrying out the most appalling acts on girls as young as 14-years-old.

“A manipulative serial predator, I remain concerned that Ahmed may have committed other offences that have yet to be reported to us. I would urge anyone who may recognise this man and believe he may have come into contact with you or your loved ones to please contact us immediately.

“Specialist officers are available to offer support and signpost to external partners. Any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with the utmost sensitivity, care and compassion.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank colleagues from Cambridgeshire, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent Police who showed true professionalism and determination and were key in bringing Ahmed to justice.”

To deal with some of the more complex and challenging child sexual abuse cases like this, the CPS has established a dedicated Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit to share specialist understanding, build strong cases and increase the amount of successful prosecutions.

MHRA and Department for Education embed medicine safety into school curriculum to empower young people

Source: Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency published on this website Wednesday 17 September 2025 by Jill Powell

The importance of medicine safety and how to report side effects of medicines via the Yellow Card scheme is now part of the statutory guidance for schools in England.

On World Patient Safety Day (17 September), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is proud to announce a major milestone in its mission to protect public health: for the first time, the importance of medicine safety and how to report side effects of medicines via the Yellow Card scheme is now part of the RSHE statutory guidance for schools in England.

Working in close partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), the MHRA has successfully embedded this life-saving knowledge into the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance – reaching children and young people in classrooms across the country.

This bold step puts patient safety into the hands of the next generation, giving them the tools to recognise and report side effects from medicines.

Putting safety at the heart of education

The curriculum changes are reflected in the statutory guidance , which now links directly to the Yellow Card scheme and a dedicated child-friendly guide tested with over 3,500 children and young people.

The content covers:

What a side effect is
Why it’s important to report problems with medicines
How to submit a Yellow Card report
Who the MHRA are and how they help keep the public safe

World Patient Safety Day emphasises the need for stronger measures to protect children from preventable harm. The inclusion of this important information on the curriculum reflects this call by making young people active participants in the safety of the healthcare system.

The inclusion in education ensures that even the youngest members of society know how to:

Take charge of their own health
Speak up when something doesn’t feel right
Play a direct role in improving the safety of medicines and medical devices for all

Accessible, empowering, actionable

Young people are guided to seek support from a parent, carer, teacher, or healthcare professional if they’re worried about a possible side effect, and they are shown how to report it through the Yellow Card website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
The guide for children and young people explains reporting in simple, clear terms and is now an official part of the resources supporting Health Education in England.

About the Yellow Card scheme

The Yellow Card scheme is the UK’s system for reporting suspected side effects to medicines, medical devices, and other healthcare products. Managed by the MHRA, the scheme plays a crucial role in monitoring product safety and taking action to minimise risks.
Now, for the first time, children and young people are actively encouraged in this system – not just as potential patients, but as active participants in ensuring safer healthcare for all.

Revenge Porn Helpline and National Crime Agency release new guidance to help tackle sextortion

Source: UK Internet Safety Centre (UKISC) published on this website Thursday 18 September 2025 by Jill Powell
The Revenge Porn Helpline has collaborated with the National Crime Agency (NCA) to publish guidance for professionals working in higher education settings on financially motivated sexual extortion (FMSE), a type of online blackmail often referred to as ‘sextortion’.

The guidance includes a poster, for display across higher education settings, helping students to know how to respond and report FMSE, should they be targeted.

What is financially motivated sexual extortion?

Financially motivated sexual extortion is a form of online blackmail where an offender threatens to share nude or semi-nude images and/or videos of a person unless they pay them money or meet another financial demand (for example purchasing a pre-paid gift card). Offenders are often operating outside the UK, and can target anyone regardless of age, gender, or background.

Why is this important for further education settings?

Cases of financially motivated sexual extortion have risen sharply in recent years. In 2024 research by the Revenge Porn Helpline identified 64% of victims were between the ages of 18 and 34. Whilst offenders can target anyone, young adults starting at university or other further education settings may have increased factors of vulnerability that offenders seek to exploit; such as access to student loans or bursaries and increased isolation or loneliness.

Encouraging victims to seek help

Fear and shame are often barriers that prevent victims of financially motivated sexual extortion from seeking help or reporting. This vital guidance gives knowledge and tools to further education professionals on the threat, enabling them to better reassure victims that they are not alone or at fault and that there is help available.

Download the further education guidance and poster here.

Further advice

If you are under 18 , you can access advice and guidance about financially motivated sexual extortion through the UK Safer Internet Centre.
If you are over 18, you can find confidential support and practical help through the Revenge Porn Helpline.

Care home worker jailed for theft from elderly resident

Source: Sussex Police published on this website Tuesday 2 September 2025 by Jill Powell

A care home worker who stole sentimental jewellery from an elderly resident has been jailed.

Police were called after staff at Bethune Court in Boscobel Road, Hastings, reported the theft on 21 March, 2024.

The victim – an 82-year-old woman – discovered jewellery including her late husband’s gold wedding ring had been taken from the bedside table in her private room.

As enquiries were ongoing, the victim’s family posted an appeal for information on social media. This was seen by a local pawnbroker, who believed they had recently accepted the same ring from regular customer.

She was identified as Rita Cooney, who worked as a housekeeper at the care home.

The 58-year-old, of Hillcrest Avenue, Bexhill, was arrested and charged with theft, which she was convicted of.

At Lewes Crown Court on 14 August, she was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

She was also charged with fraud, and that offence will lie on file.

Investigating officer, PC Wesley Brickstock, of the Hastings Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a despicable act committed by a woman who exploited the vulnerability of an elderly resident in a place where she should be able to feel safe.

“I’d like to thank the victim and her family for their support in our investigation, and the local pawnbroker who diligently notified police, ensuring we could bring Cooney to justice.”