- Father and son were sentenced to three and two years in prison respectively for “conspiracy”
A father and son have been sentenced to prison after making £136,000 as part of a get-rich-quick scheme by returning cheap irons to Argos using fake receipts.
Paul Mathews, 62, and Dean Mathews, 40, returned or exchanged a total of 528 items in stores over a period of about three years, police said.
The duo, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, bought refurbished Tefal irons – worth £400 new – at heavily discounted prices.
They then took the irons to an Argos branch and demanded their money back or a gift card.
The duo was caught in February 2024 when the chain’s staff expressed suspicions about Paul’s activities.
Upon closer investigation, police uncovered a “sophisticated conspiracy” that they said was aimed at making “as much money as possible.”
Police have released CCTV footage allegedly showing Paul Matthews, who was jailed for the ‘iron’ fraud
Dean Matthews (pictured) worked with his father on the project for three years.
Dean Matthews was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the “sophisticated conspiracy.”
Paul Matthews received a three-year prison sentence for his role
City of London detectives linked the men’s cars to CCTV footage from various Argos stores that suggested fraudulent transactions.
In addition, numerous items were seized from their addresses, including Tefal irons stored in an Argos carrier bag.
After their initial arrest, the pair were released on bail on the condition that they were not allowed to visit any Argos branch, but less than 24 hours after their release, they continued their crime spree.
In May 2024, they were arrested again and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
A search of her home address in June found bank cards linked to the Argos fraud hidden in a watch, police said.
During the interrogation, they were charged with 19 new crimes and both men were remanded in custody for repeat offenses.
At the verdict on Tuesday at Norwich Crown Court, Paul was sentenced to three years in prison and his son Dean to two years in prison.
Det Chf Insp 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 crimes. 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.”
Police said they became involved in the case after Argos raised suspicions about Paul Matthews.
Eventually, the City of London Police’s anti-fraud team was tasked with investigating and was able to pin the fraud on the two.
In police questioning after their arrest in February, the men initially responded with “no comment.”
