A gang of fraudsters who conned charities including The Christie out of more than £500,000 have been jailed. David Levi, 47, headed the conspiracy which used fake ID badges, banners and merchandise to con kind-hearted members of the public.
From his headquarters in Blackpool, Levi arranged charity collections for The Christie, Children in Need, the Children's Society, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Mind, Lancs Live reports. READ MORE: EncroChat gang bought blocks of cocaine in Manchester before moving them around the UK READ MORE: Prison guard NOT GUILTY of phone sex with prisoner His collectors targeted supermarkets across the UK, wearing Pudsey Bear outfits, sparkly hats and charity T-shirts to create an illusion they were legitimate.
But instead of handing over the money to good causes, the collectors pocketed the cash which was given by members of the public.
In May 2017, BBC Children in Need made a referral to Action Fraud, claiming bogus collections were taking place in the charity's name.