FOI 370/25
REQUEST
I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding a significant eBay fraud case from 2006, which led to multiple convictions. I request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the fraud case from 2006. These are the links to the public case: Wales Online Article 1 and Wales Online Article 2.
This is the information I am seeking in relation to the fraud case:
Investigation Guidelines:
1. Please provide the specific investigation procedures or protocols that were in place for fraud cases related to eBay in 2006 the standard police investigative methods, as used by that department.
- Were there any specific fraud detection protocols implemented during the investigation of this case?
Case-Specific Evidence:
3. Can I please receive the redacted versions of the police reports and case files related to the investigation of the eBay fraud case and any publicly available information on the investigation?
Similar Conviction Cases:
4. Further, can you provide the number of individuals convicted for eBay fraud in from 2005-2007?
Subsequently, I would like to know the data on the number of investigations run around 2006 targeting individuals selling counterfeit goods online.
Disclosure & Handling of Evidence:
6. Please provide the protocols for collecting and preserving digital evidence, such as PayPal logs, during the investigation of this particular case
Could you highlight whatkind of a rigorous investigative process the accused went through?
Other Cases and Conviction Data:
Additionally, I request to please provide a list of documented cases of fraud or any similar ebay cases during 2005-2007.
RESPONSE
We consulted with our Crime & Criminal Justice department who have provided the below response to your request.
Information in relation to any large scale online counterfeiting cases would not be held by South Wales Police. Under Section 16 our duty to advise and assist you may wish to refer your request to trading standards. Please see the link below:
How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request: Overview - GOV.UK
In criminal enquiries South Wales Police will often assist trading standards. We can confirm we have occasionally dealt with similar matters which are linked to subjects involved in other serious organised crime, or where matters have been highlighted to us in relation to intelligence where more recently where there is the opportunity to disrupt in relation to asset stripping.
Please note whilst South Wales Police deal with lower scale cases this information is not readily available. Police recording systems changed to the crime and incident recording system (NICHE RMS) in 2007, furthermore Action Fraud / NFIB didn’t exist pre-2013.
In relation to your request for convictions under S16 our duty to advise and assist you may wish to submit this part of your request to CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) using the link provided below:
Freedom of Information | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)