Arrests made amid discovery of 'illegal gambling den'
Six warrants were carried out at the end of last month following intelligence that an illegal den was operating in Splott
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and gambling act offences as part of a month-long intensification period against fraud in South Wales.
Officers from the regional organised crime unit executed six warrants at the end of February after a tip-off that an illegal gambling den was operating in Splott.
The Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) worked in partnership with the Gambling Commission, HMRC and Cardiff City Council Licensing across Cardiff on Wednesday February 28.
They seized six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, poker coins, chips - and multiple flat-screen TVs which were all found inside the den, which occupied the upstairs area of an industrial unit.
Kay Roberts, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Operations, said: “We are committed to tackling illegal gambling activity across the UK and will continue working closely with law enforcement and partner agencies to achieve this.”
The Cardiff den was raided as part of Operation Henhouse, a month-long intensification period against fraud. Funded by the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Operation Henhouse was a collaborative effort by multiple police forces, organised crime units, and partner agencies across the UK.
Tarian ROCU arrested six people, executed seven warrants, and issued over ten Cease and Desist notices to individuals committing fraud and money laundering offences across the region.
Detective Sergeant Emma Brown, of Tarian’s Proactive Economic Crime Team (PECT), said: “Fraud has become the most commonly recorded crime in England and Wales and is often committed in conjunction with other serious offences, such as money laundering.
Over the course of the Henhouse intensification period, South Wales Police say they have arrested individuals under suspicion of Fraud by False Representation and money laundering, together with executing warrants in respect of the distribution of illegal TV Firesticks.
Their engagement teams have also delivered cybercrime and fraud awareness inputs to community groups, colleges and universities, and businesses, to help prevent people from becoming victims of fraud.
You can check out advice and more information on the Stop Think Fraud website.
If you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, visit Action Fraud for advice at www.actionfraud.police.uk and report it online or by calling 0300 123 2040.