Father and Son Jailed for Fraud Scheme

Paul Mathews, 62, and his son Dean Mathews, 40, from Wisbech, have been sentenced to a total of five years in prison for a fraudulent scheme that netted them £136,000 by exploiting Argos. The duo purchased reconditioned Tefal steam irons at discounted prices and returned them with forged receipts, claiming they had bought them at full price. Over three years, they conducted 528 fraudulent transactions, leading to their arrest in February 2024 after Argos staff noticed suspicious activity. Detectives linked their cars to the fraud through CCTV footage and found additional evidence at their homes. Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering, receiving sentences of three years for Paul and two years for Dean. Detective Chief Inspector Lee Parish emphasized the serious impact of retail fraud on businesses and the importance of deterring such illegal schemes.