Trading Standards prosecution sees 14 jailed for Sky telesales scam

A probe by City and County of Swansea trading standards officers has led to 14 people being jailed for a cold calling scam that targeted often vulnerable people.

Jail sentences totalling 22 years were handed down against defendants who had posed as telesales agents for Sky and were attempting to sell unsuspecting customers insurance cover plans they did not need. 

They worked for a business trading under a variety of names including Aurora Logistics, Cable Guy and 1st Choice Satellites.

Dishonest tactics employed enabled them to collect approximately £500,000 from unsuspecting members of the public, many of them vulnerable or elderly.

June Burtonshaw, cabinet member for placen at Swansea, said: “We made a very brave decision in deciding to investigate such a complex and widespread case.

“We are very pleased that the outcome was as successful as it was. As the investigation developed we knew that we had a strong case. But had we lost in court, we would have had to pick up the costs of the investigation.”

Innovative investigative techniques used included voice recognition experts, who listened to thousands of recorded phone calls. 

National Trading Standards Board chair Lord Harris said: “This was an appalling case where unscrupulous criminals were exploiting vulnerable individuals and defrauding them.”

The council said up to 60% of staff of the business concerned had also fraudulently claimed multiple benefits from it and the Department for Work & Pensions.