FOUR people charged in connection with a courier fraud investigation in Ellesmere Port have been remanded in custody.

Caroline Cunliffe, 47, of Wardlebrook Avenue, Hyde; Samuel Daniels, 34, of Bathurst Street, Blackburn; Giuseppe Persico, 49, of Showley Road, Clayton Le Dale, Blackburn and Giovanni Piras, 36, of Kirby Road, Blackburn were all arrested following police raids.

Detectives from Ellesmere Port CID have since charged the three men and a woman with fraud offences.

The charges relate to an investigation into courier fraud operating in Ellesmere Port.

All four appeared at Chester Magistrates Court before district judge John McGarva on Monday, January 22, charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property between October 1, 2023 and January 16 this year.

No application for bail was made for any of the defendants on the day, and they were remanded in custody.

They are due to appear at Chester Crown Court on February 19 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Courier fraud cases can involve fraudsters phoning victims, claiming to be from their bank, the police or other law enforcement authority. They then con the victim into revealing their PIN and credit or debit card details.