Lancashire-Based Scamming Group Jailed in £500k Charity Fraud

A group of charity scammers who pretended to be grocery store bucket collectors and deceived the public out of at least £500,000 have been imprisoned.

By pretending to be collectors for children’s charities such as Children In Need, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, The Children’s Society, The Christie Charitable Fund, and Mind, the group of fake collectors took advantage of the goodwill of the public.

David Lavi, 47, who was identified as the main con artist, contacted charities and requested permission to collect money on their behalf using their logos and brand names.

The gang used banners, fake ID badges, and Pudsey Bear costumes and set up booths and stalls in supermarkets.

Preston Crown Court was informed that although the gang collected at least £500,000, they only contributed less than 10% to the charity.

Judge Andrew Jefferies KC stated that he could only surmise the total amount pocketed b

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