Group of five suspected of defrauding Brighton & Hove Buses of tens of thousands
Five people have been arrested by police investigating the fraudulent supply of bus tickets in Brighton and Hove, the Brighton Argus reported.
Officers raided two properties in the city as part of a probe into the sale of fake tickets.
Police said those involved could have gained tens of thousands of pounds from the scheme.
Two men, aged 21 and 24, and three women, aged 20, 24 and 46, all from Brighton, were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences.
The 24-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis.
After the arrests were made on Friday, July 14, two of the suspects were released under investigation, while the other three remained in custody on Friday afternoon.
Police have been working closely with Brighton & Hove Buses, the victim of the counterfeiting operation, with Crime Investigator Dianna Harman overseeing the operation.
She said: “Quite often these types of deals happen online and if they look too good to be true, they almost certainly are.
“Anyone with information about the supply of fake tickets is asked to report online at sussex.police.uk/appealresponse or call 101 quoting serial 1638 of 11/05.”
Police confirmed a 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation; conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation; conspiracy to acquire, use or possess criminal property and conspiracy to possess or control an article for use in fraud. She was released under investigation late on July 14.
The 21-year-old man, 24-year-old woman and 46-year-old women were also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, while the 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and possession of cannabis.
