Former British champion boxer Lee Purdy is among six people who have been charged in connection with frauds against elderly and vulnerable people in north-east Essex.
Welterweight Mr Purdy, 26 from Greenstead Road in Colchester was charged with money laundering following a seven-month joint investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorates in connection with the discovery of an organised crime group which had been taking advantage of people aged between 65 and 99 years.
Police say nearly 40 people are thought to have been the victims of fraudulent activity in excess of £1m.
The charges come after officers carried out searches of properties in Epping, Colchester and Clacton in June.
The other five people, who were all charged with money laundering, are: Barry Lilley, 63, unemployed of Frinton Road, Kirby Cross; Lee Symes, 33 a builder, of Church Road, Elmstead, Susan Lilley, 57, electricity board worker, from Ipswich Road, Holland-on-Sea, Vanessa Clement, 54, cleaner, of Bromley Road, Ardleigh and Derek Johnstone, 69, retired of Ipswich Road, Holland-on-Sea. They have all been bailed to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 10.
Seven other people have already been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation relating to the period 2009-2013.
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