Members of a Liverpool gang involved in a cheque cashing scam which saw them collectively net more than £120,000 have been jailed.
The gang cashed fraudulent cheques at pawnbrokers and cheque cashing agencies in Liverpool and surrounding areas. Some of the 26 members allowed fraudulent cheques to be paid in to their bank accounts.
The offences were committed over many months between October 2011 and June 2012.
Christopher Ojapah, 36, of Fairfield, was one of the main organisers of the conspiracy and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
46 year old Rodney Akomas who worked with Ojapah on the scam has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Jailed for one and half years along with Ojapah and Akomas were David Bradley, 43 and 20 year old Jonathon Evans of Wavertree.
Apart from the four ringleaders the other 22 members of the gang collectively received suspended sentences, community orders, supervision orders and will have to do unpaid work. See the full sentencing list here.
Determined fraudsters
Detective Sergeant Paul Kay, from Merseyside police’s Matrix serious and organised crime team, said: “Christopher Ojapah and Rodney Akomas are determined fraudsters who recruited people in the Kensington area over a period of time to frequently obtain monies by cashing fraudulent cheques totalling £120,000.
“The group conspired to commit fraud, through cashing fraudulent cheques at pawnbrokers and cheque cashing agencies.”
He added: “This case is proof, if any is needed, that fraud is not a victimless crime and we are committed to taking robust action to make sure that offenders are arrested and brought to justice.”
For further information please visit the Liverpool Echo website.
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