CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2023 27 PLANT THEFT: 2 Thefts and Frauds Reported by Members As members would have been acutely aware, there has been an Organised Criminal Gang (OCG) who has persistently attempted to obtain plant and equipment from the membership. The aliases used include: ‘Chris Stephens’, ‘Claire Herbert’, ‘Joe’, ‘John’ (cockney accent), ‘Lance’, ‘Mark’, ‘Mike’ (cockney accent), and ‘Steve’. They have used the following mobile numbers: 07424 325091, 07424 901687, 07438 647544 and 07440 633766; plus the following email addresses: claire_herbert @ outlook.com ; harringtonbuildersplc @ outlook.com ; jetengineeering @ outlook. com; luxuryestates2019 @ outlook.com and peterduffy @ hotmail.co.uk. The companies they claim to represent include Baxalls, Cadam Construction, Clive Hurt Plant Hire, CLS, Colas, Cooper Groundworks, DGB Groundworks (Shrewsbury), Dutton Contractors, GarthWest, Harrington Builders, Hendersons, J E T Engineering, J J O’Grady, Kilmore Civil Engineering, Lamb UK, R and M Bolton Ltd, S J Civils, and Warrington Construction. At the time of writing, there have been no new contacts from these people to any member. • On 13th January, Shebdon Plant Hire had a Kubota U17-3A and a Digga PD3-2 stolen from a site in Shropshire. • On 16th January, Alan Tuer Ltd had a Takeuchi TB216 stolen from a site in Kingston, Carlisle. • Between 17th January and 6th March, JK Ashbrook had six Caterpillar mini-excavators (3 to 5 tonne) and three dumpers ( 2 x JCB 6 tonne and 1 tonne hi-tip and 1 Terex 2 tonne hi-tip ) stolen from sites in Greater Manchester, St Helens and Warrington. • On 27th January, Lewis Plant Services had a Bomag Tandem Roller stolen from a site in Pontesbury, Shropshire. • On 30th January, an ex-employee of Eagle Plant asked us to circulate the theft of a tractor used for grounds maintenance at a local Football Club in Kiveton Park, Sheffield. The facilities are used by the local community. • On 1st February, Target Plant had a break-in at their Ipswich depot, and had a brand new Atlas Copco generator , and various expensive tools and equipment, stolen. • On 1st February, Humberside Plant were the victims of a fraudster ‘Chay Thurston Warnell’ of ‘Chay Warnell Construction’. He paid a £500 deposit for a JCB telehandler and a Kubota mini-excavator , and presented recently purchased insurance documents (cancelled two days later) and a driving licence which was later discovered to be fake. The machines were said to be used in the Hull area, however, one of the machines had a tracker and was found in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. • On 28th February, Mechplant NorthWest had a JCB Roller stolen from a site in Chadderton, Greater Manchester All notifications of theft and fraud are being forwarded to Opal ACE and the new NCATT unit NaVCIS. A new ‘Cyber Aware’ campaign has been launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is aimed at small and micro-businesses in protecting themselves from cyber-attack. Further information can be found at www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/cyber-aware-resource-centre . The information covers a ‘Cyber Action Plan’, as well as ‘Check your Cyber Security’ which when answering questions will highlight whether any company computers or systems are particularly susceptible to a potential ‘Ransomware’ attack, and if so, what steps that company should take. The UK Government has reported a significant increase in Ransomware attacks against UK businesses in the last two years emanating from Organised Criminal Gangs or from enemy states. The NCSC has also produced information which has been specifically developed for the construction industry, and this can be found at www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/cyber-security-for-construction-businesses . Cyber Security for Small Businesses