AML news 05/01/2010 Robbers family used money laundering to buy houses

An armed robber from Salford, Manchester, his mother, brothers and girlfriend, who all went on a three-year spending spree with the proceeds of his crimes, have admitted money laundering offences in disposing of the stolen money.

The 29-year-old robber was caught in April 2006 after a robbery at a Lloyds TSB branch in Preston netted his gang £136,000, a crime for which he was jailed for ten years. Following a police investigation into his lavish lifestyle, he has now admitted money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

His mother, who created a false identity to buy two homes in Salford and Prestwich then illegally claimed housing and council tax benefits as a tenant, admitted conspiracy to defraud, making false statements and converting or concealing criminal property by buying and selling a home in Florida using her sons money.

The robbers older brother was convicted of housing benefit fraud, conspiracy to defraud and operating as an unlicensed money lender, while his younger brother admitted money laundering by acting as a front for the purchase of houses and his girlfriend admitted benefits fraud and money laundering.

Det Sgt John Mulvihill, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said the force was committed to bringing to justice families that are willing to assist in the laundering of criminal property.

This investigation uncovered the lengths that certain individuals will go to in order to conceal their proceeds of crime but it also showed the lengths that GMP will go to by working in partnership with local authorities to expose, pursue and prosecute those who are willing to enjoy the benefits of a lavish lifestyle financed by crime. This is what the public of Greater Manchester wants and expects.

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