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Identity theft and fraud

An online betting company received two UK passports bearing different names but the same image within 12 minutes of each other.

The matter was reported to the Gambling Commission and we passed it on to the Metropolitan Police (opens in new tab) Gaming Unit for investigation.

A search of the offender’s address revealed more than 5,900 scans of passports, identity cards, utility bills and bank statements relating to individuals from countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

The individual had made nearly £80,000 from online gambling using fraudulent passports, identity cards and false utility bills to open numerous accounts and take advantage of new customer bonus offers.

Following a criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police, supported by the Gambling Commission, he was jailed for three years.

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