This was sent to all victims earlier today...
To all.
This investigation is still ongoing and I apologise for not providing you with an update as to where we are.
Please note the following:
From the early stages of the investigation, we were satisfied that FOZLUR RAHMAN, a 21 year old male from the Haslingden area was heavily involved in this fraud and that he appeared to be carrying it out in association with another male.
It is also clear that shortly after matters were being reported to Lancashire Police, the two suspects left the area and we have since ascertained that they made their way to Manchester, London, Scotland and eventually to North Wales and it is clear that they were both avoiding capture.
They were eventually arrested in North Wales following an assault and were eventually charged and remanded to HM Prison Altcourse in Liverpool.
They were produced by us from the prison yesterday, the 22nd of April, and were interviewed about their involvement.
The Crown Prosecution Service then assessed the evidence and were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to charge FOZLUR RAHMAN but were less satisfied with the evidence against the other suspect.
Today, the 23rd of April, FOZLUR RAHMAN was charged with 6 counts of fraud and was bailed to Rossendale Magistrates on the 13th of May.
FOZLUR has clearly involved himself in a very high-value fraud and the charges that have been laid against him today, are what we commonly call 'holding charges', therefore, charges that enable us to keep him remanded in custody even though the investigation is not complete and due to the sheer volume of victims, amount of fraud and the seriousness of the crime. Further charges may, and probably will follow as the investigation continues. He was then released on what we call 'technical bail' which means that although he is effectively on bail for our matters, he is still in custody at Altcourse Prison on the offences being dealt with by North Wales Police and when he then appears in Lancashire on his first appearance for our fraud, we will seek to further remand him in custody and therefore endeavour to keep him in custody up until his trial.
The investigation continues and I will be contacting a number of you soon to discuss your formal evidence as a witness which will be presented at court in due course.
At this stage, not all victims will be asked to provide this evidence due to the shear number of you as the court will not be able to cope with that many people giving evidence and it is anticipated that those of you from overseas, will not be asked to give formal evidence due to the potential problems that may occur with travelling and dare I say it, the expence, which is a matter that cannot be ignored.
We are still in the early stages of the investigation and the preparing of the case against RAHMAN and other suspects may possibly be arrested as the enquiry continues.
Thankyou.
TIM MADDOX (DC 352)