Four women were arrested today in Greater Manchester by detectives investigating a series of 'high value' frauds.
Police said the 'carefully planned and co-ordinated offences' involved the use of fraudulent bank details to purchase items from stores in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Derbyshire.
A split team of 50 police officers swooped on four properties in Greater Manchester in dawn raids on Wednesday.
The four women arrested were all held on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud.
All four remained in police custody on Wednesday evening for questioning.
A car, electric scooters, furniture and a quantity of cash were seized in the raids.
Police said searches were continuing at the addresses involved.
Three raids were carried out in north Manchester and the fourth in Tameside.
A 29-year-old woman was arrested at an address on Riverdale Road in Blackley; a 36-year-old woman at an address on Brynorme Road, Crumpsall; a 40-year-old woman at an address on Evesham Road, Blackley, and a 39-year-old woman at an address on Hobson Crescent, Audenshaw.
They haven't been named.
The investigation has been co-ordinated by detectives from Macclesfield, Northwich and the Cheshire Police Economic Crime Unit.
Detective Sergeant Dave Jarvis, of Macclesfield CID, said it had been a 'lengthy and complex investigation'.
"I welcome today's arrests and I hope that they provide reassurance to our communities that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality," he said.
"Today's strike is the culmination of a lengthy and complex investigation focusing on a large number of fraud offences committed between October 2019 and April 2020 across the north west of England.
"These were carefully planned and co-ordinated offences where fraudulent bank details have allegedly been used to purchase items from stores in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Derbyshire.
"All of the women arrested this morning are currently in police custody helping officers with their enquiries. A number of addresses are currently being searched as part of the ongoing investigation."
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Coleman, Crime Manager at Cheshire Police, said: "The work leading up to and including today’s strike phase is testament to the dedication and commitment by officers and staff to disrupt criminal activity and to continue to keep our communities safe."
