A father and son have been jailed after pocketing £136,000 as part of a “get rich quick” scheme – returning cheap irons to Argos with fake receipts. Paul Mathews, 62, and Dean Mathews, 40, returned or exchanged up to 528 items in stores over a three-year period, police said.
The duo bought refurbished Tefal irons – worth £400 new – at heavily discounted prices. They then took the irons to Argos stores and demanded their money back or a gift card.
The scammers were caught in February when staff at one chain became suspicious of Paul’s activities. Upon closer investigation, the full extent of their illegal scheme was revealed.
City of London detectives linked the men’s cars to CCTV footage at various Argos branches which matched fraudulent transactions. Several items were seized from their addresses, including Tefal irons in an Argos carrier bag.
When they were first arrested, the pair were released on bail on the condition that they not visit an Argos store. However, less than 24 hours after their release, they continued their crime spree. In May, they were arrested again and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
During the sentencing, Paul was sentenced to three years in prison and his son Dean to two years in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Parish, of the City of London Police, said: “This was a sophisticated plot with a very simple aim – to make as much money as possible. Both men will now serve prison sentences for their actions, which should serve as a lesson to those who are seduced by illegal ‘get rich quick’ schemes. You will get caught eventually and we will pursue you until justice is done. Retail fraud has a huge impact on a very human level. The impact of this fraud has a human element when you consider that businesses rely on profitability to pay their employees’ salaries, medical benefits and health insurance.”
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