Brighton betting scam suspect bailed by court
A Brighton man suspected of taking part in a betting scam has been remanded on bail by a court.
Jeffery Bloor, 41, was arrested after flying from Cyprus to Stansted Airport on Thursday afternoon (3 July) on a warrant issued at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
Bloor had featured on the Crimestoppers “Most wanted” list in April after he failed to answer bail two years ago.
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Friday (4 July) charged with conspiracy to defraud and with money laundering.
The charges relate to a horse race betting brochure investment fraud.
Bloor, who was born in Brighton and lived in Lancing, is next due to appear at Lewes Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday 7 August.
He faces charges of conspiring to defraud prospective and actual punters and investors with Paul Spicer, Gregory Spicer and Lee O’Donnell and others from April 2003 to February 2008.
He is accused of dishonestly
- making false claims in relation to betting services
- making false claims in relation to investment services
- seeking and receiving payment for fraudulent betting and investment services
Sussex Police said that the charges resulted from a nine-month inquiry by the force’s Major Fraud Unit in 2011 and 2012.
It is alleged that Bloor was part of a gang that netted more than £5 million by convincing hundreds of people across Britain to invest in non-existent betting brochure schemes.
Detective Sergeant Sally Smith, of the Sussex Major Fraud Unit, said: “Bloor’s details were released to the media on (Monday) 23 July 2012 as part of efforts to trace him.
“He featured as part of the Crimestoppers Most Wanted ‘Op Zygos’ publicity campaign and we have also been working with the National Crime Agency.
“That publicity and co-operation has helped to secure his arrest.”
Steve Bennett, the National Crime Agency’s Head of European Operations, said: “This is a great example of the effectiveness of our ‘most wanted’ campaigns.
“Many fugitives are located as a result of law enforcement operations or information being passed from members of the public.
“In this case the publicity was a major factor and Bloor handed himself in.”
The Spicers and O’Donnell, who are all from Brighton and Hove, and three other men have been convicted of and jailed for conspiring to defraud at Lewes Crown Court.
The others were John “Jock” McCracken, 47, unemployed, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, John Brice, 40, self-employed, of Sandringham Drive, Hove, and Matthew Thole, 40, a company director, of Cefn Mably Park, Michaelston-y-Fedw, Cardiff.
