A father and son made off with £136,000 in a fraud attempt by using fake receipts to return cheap irons to Argos at full price.
Paul, 62, and Dan Mathews, 40, bought refurbished Tefal steam irons – worth £400 when new – at heavily discounted prices.
The couple, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, then took them to Argos stores where they presented a fake receipt and demanded a refund or a gift card.
They carried out the scam more than 500 times over three years. Detective Chief Inspector Lee Parish said: “It was an elaborate plan with a very simple goal – to make as much money as possible.”
Father and son were finally caught in February this year when staff raised concerns about the older man’s activities.
Based on video surveillance recordings, detectives were able to identify two vehicles belonging to the duo that visited various Argos branches at the time of the fraudulent transactions.
During a search of their home address, they seized several appliances, while an Argos carrier bag containing three Tefal steam irons was found in the boot of one of Dean Mathews’ cars.
As part of their bail conditions, both men were banned from entering Argos stores following their initial arrest in February.
However, they resumed their fraud within 24 hours and continued it until May, when they were arrested again and remanded in custody on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.
Paul Mathews was sentenced to three years in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday. Dan Mathews received a two-year sentence. Both admitted conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
DCI Parish said: “Both men will now serve prison sentences for their actions. This should serve as a lesson to those who are seduced by illegal ‘get rich quick’ schemes.”
“At some point you will be exposed and we will pursue you until justice is done.”
“Retail fraud has enormous impact on a very human level.
“The impact of this fraud also has a human element, considering that companies rely on profitability to pay salaries, health insurance benefits and benefits for their employees.”
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