Detectives have issued photos of two men they wish to talk to in connection with a mail order fraud that is believed to have netted up to £300,000.

The men were both seen in Southend, which is believed to be the centre of operations for a scam in which goods have been bought using details from bank cards stolen in Australia or New Zealand.

A wide range of items, including babywear, cosmetics and food, has been ordered and delivered to various locations around the Southend area where gang members were waiting to collect them. No traceable addresses were used.

 

Investigating officer Dc Bob Evans said: "We believe that this is a major fraud operation where firms have been tricked using stolen bank details and where courier firms have been tricked into making deliveries to false addresses.

"The two men in the pictures might have useful information and we want to hear from them or anyone who knows who they are.”

Anyone with information should contact Dc Evans or his colleagues at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Two men aged 32 and 41 and two women aged 27 and 32, and all from the Southend area, have been arrested on suspicion of fraud and have been bailed until April pending further enquiries.