Three more arrested in North East Property Buyers probe

Sep 30 2009 by Sophie Doughty, The Journal

THREE more people have been questioned in connection with an alleged property scam, as detectives warn that no-one involved will escape arrest.

Three more former employees of the lettings firm North East Property Buyers were arrested at their homes yesterday.

The 30-year-old man and 24-year-old woman from Gateshead, who held middle-ranking roles in the company, and a 62-year-old man, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, who held a position of responsibility in the management of the firm, were all questioned and released on bail.

Detectives from Northumbria Police’s Economic Crime Unit, have now arrested 12 people in connection with a major fraud probe, surrounding the company.

And Det Sgt Phil Loveday has warned that police will be speaking to everyone they believed could have played a role in the alleged scam.

Police began probing the dealings of North East Property Buyers and Newcastle Home Loans earlier this year after being alerted by the Financial Service Authority (FSA).