Warns about food fraud activity

The fraudsters are alleged to have targeted small legitimate wholesale food businesses and importers that supply seafood, meat and fruit and vegetables. The alleged offenders work by acquiring authentic letter heads of the legitimate company and changing the telephone, email and fax details. They then contact a genuine wholesaler/importer and place a food order with them. This business, after completing credit checks, agrees to supply the food; however, before the delivery is made, the driver is contacted and the location switched – usually to the roadside or a car park. The fraudsters then make off with the goods and attempt to sell them on elsewhere.West Yorkshire Police's Economic Crime Unit, which is leading the investigation into the fraud that has affected a number of businesses across the country, urged all food businesses to be on the lookout for this sort of fraud  “If you are suspicious at any stage call your local police,” they said in a statement.