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Indian origin man, girlfriend arrested for stealing from gym lockers
The victims experienced significant financial losses as their accounts were drained of funds, and they were unable to use their phones.
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Representative image / Image - Unsplash
A UK-based couple was recently sentenced for stealing bank and SIM cards from gym lockers to finance their extravagant lifestyle. For over a year, the duo, identified as Indian-origin Ashley Singh, 39, and Sophie Bruyea, 20, targeted approximately 18 individuals, the police said.
The couple followed a modus operandi where they visited gyms, and while the victims were engaged in their workouts, Singh would go through their lockers. Subsequently, they would exploit the stolen credit cards to make extravagant purchases, including expensive technology and designer items till the cards reached their limit.
Afterward, they sold these items and utilized the proceeds to fund a luxurious lifestyle, involving purchases like bags, shoes, holidays, and even acquiring a pedigree puppy.
The victims, on the other hand, experienced significant financial losses as their accounts were drained of funds. The couple has been sentenced in court after Metropolitan Police officers established the connection between them and the thefts.
DC Luis Da Silva, from the Met’s economic crime team, said, “We know Londoners are worried about theft. It’s a horrible crime, and it causes a lot of stress, pain, and financial loss. That’s why we take this crime seriously and a whole team of us were committed to catching Singh and Bruyea.”
“You couldn’t fail to be moved by the devastating impact their callous behavior had on people, and we hope that catching them offers victims a little bit of solace. I would urge anyone who has had something stolen to get in touch because we do want to drive down this crime and go after those who target the public,” Silva added.
The couple's criminal activities came to the attention of a local officer who recognized a pattern, prompting them to alert economic crime detectives. A specialized team based in Lewisham then utilized various investigative methods, including tracing the pair's phones and vehicles to finally identify them through CCTV footage.
Met officers arrested Singh and Bruyea at Gatwick Airport on January 27, 2023, upon their return from Paris with approximately 2,000 Euros (over US$2,000) worth of designer goods.
In total, the couple targeted 18 individuals in what the sentencing judge characterized as a "wicked conspiracy." The couple, residing in Bromley, received their sentences at Croydon Crown Court on January 10.
They were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, spanning from January 2022 to January 2023, with a total value of £250,000 (over US$270,000). Singh received a three-year imprisonment sentence, while Bruyea was sentenced to 20 months at a young offenders' institute. She was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation program and 120 hours of unpaid work.
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