A FRAUDSTER who was part of an organised crime gang trying to smuggle counterfeit postal orders worth £3.2 million from Nigeria to America has been jailed.

Seun Anifowose was sentenced to five years in prison today, Friday, after pleading guilty to three offences of possession of articles to be used in fraud, possession of an identity document to be used in fraud and money laundering.

The court heard how the 26-year-old was detained by officers from TITAN, the North West Regional Organised Crime Team, and Cheshire Police at his home on Museum Street in the town centre on Thursday, November 10.

Anifowose was arrested after police intercepted parcels which were coming into the UK from Nigeria.

In an attempt to conceal his identity Anifowose had used multiple pseudonyms and addresses in Merseyside, Wales and Cheshire.

Anifowose was also questioned with regards to money laundering with in excess of £130,000 passing through his bank account during 2014. 

But when questioned on the origins of the money Anifowose could not present a lawful reason for possessing the funds and fully admitted that it was the proceeds of online frauds.

Detective chief superintendent Chris Green, the head of TITAN said: "Anifowose was involved in serious and organised crime that not only impacted across the US and Nigeria but right here within our region in Cheshire, In North Wales and in Merseyside.

“Not only did TITAN work with police agencies across the world they also worked across the boundaries of Merseyside, Wales and Cheshire to bring Anifowose to justice in what was a very speedy and well planned investigation.

“Fourteen packages were intercepted in the UK by the Border Agency which raised suspicions. 

"When checked it emerged that the packages which were eventually destined for America, contained a number of counterfeit US postal orders amounting to in excess of $4m.

“Fraud is not a victimless crime and this was an attempt to carry out a large scale fraud which could have had a huge impact on the American economy.

“We hope that Anifowose’s sentencing acts as a deterrent to those people intent on committing these crimes and shows that all reports of fraud are taken extremely seriously and action will be taken against those who are responsible.”