Crime

Bridgend man masterminded national phishing scam

Published

2 months ago

February 6, 2025

A MAN from Bridgend has been identified as the mastermind behind a national phishing scam that sought to harvest personal data from unsuspecting victims.

An investigation led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, uncovered that 22-year-old Blaine Flatt, of Broadlands, Bridgend, created a fraudulent website designed to mimic Amazon’s official page. The scam was commissioned by Ewan McGavin, 31, from Horwich, Bolton, who intended to use the fake site to steal sensitive information from members of the public.

Flatt, who pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including making or supplying articles for use in frauds, was sentenced in February 2024. He received a two-year suspended custodial sentence and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Meanwhile, McGavin, who was out of the country during his co-conspirator’s trial, was arrested upon his return to the UK and remanded in custody. Following a trial, he was found guilty on January 10, 2025, and has now been sentenced to 30 months in prison for intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Jack Harris, of Tarian, said: “I hope this case demonstrates to cyber criminals and fraudsters operating in the UK that you will be pursued by us and brought to justice. This type of offending can cause serious harm and distress to members of the public who are unfortunate enough to be targeted by phishing scams.”

He urged people to be vigilant against phishing scams, where criminals use fake websites or emails to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides advice on staying safe online at NCSC.GOV.UK.

“If you believe you may have been affected by a phishing website or email, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk,” he added.

Crime

Majority of stolen sheep recovered after public appeal

Published

43 minutes ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE says it has recovered 63 of the 75 sheep reported stolen from a farm in Rhydlewis, near Newcastle Emlyn, following a public appeal for information earlier this week.

The ewes were located at three separate sites within the Dyfed-Powys Police area over the past four days.

Inspector Matthew Howells said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times and reached communities all over Wales and further afield. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. I’d also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.”

A 40-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on bail while police enquiries continue.

Crime

Police investigate theft of 75 sheep from Newcastle Emlyn farm

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating the theft of approximately 75 sheep from a farm in the Newcastle Emlyn area.

The lamb yearling ewes were reported missing from farmland near Rhydlewis. Officers believe the theft occurred sometime between March 7 and March 17, 2025.

The stolen sheep are described as white-faced, with clean white wool and a faint yellow spot. They are believed to be continental cross ewes, similar in appearance to Texel crosses.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and remains in police custody.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist with the investigation.

Anyone with details is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:

🖥️ | Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
📧 | Email: [email protected]
📞 | Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 178 of March 23.

Crime

Unlicensed dog breeders prosecuted in Carmarthenshire

Published

14 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Three found guilty of operating without a licence

THREE unlicensed dog breeders have been successfully prosecuted by Carmarthenshire County Council following an investigation into illegal breeding practices at a property in Cwmffrwd.

Donna Edwards, William Edwards and Elysia Jones, all of Gelligaeros Bungalow, Cwmffrwd, were found guilty at Swansea Crown Court on 10 February 2025 for operating a dog breeding business without the required licence.

Donna Edwards and her partner, Mark Thomas, had previously held a dog boarding licence for many years. However, in October 2020, they ceased boarding activities and began using the kennels for breeding instead. Despite informing the council that 19 dogs were being kept on the premises, and enquiring several times about obtaining a breeding licence, no formal application was ever submitted.

Carmarthenshire County Council had issued warnings about unlicensed activity, but the defendants continued to operate. In April 2021, the website Pets4Homes contacted the council to report that it had blocked three user accounts—registered under the names Donna Edwards, William Edwards, and Elysia Jones—all advertising puppies from the Gelligaeros address.

An investigation revealed that eight separate litters had been advertised from the property between June 2020 and March 2021.

As part of the prosecution, the council secured a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, recovering a total of £81,509.93 from the defendants.

Sentencing was as follows:

Donna Edwards: 12-month Community Order with 70 hours of unpaid work, plus an £85 victim surcharge.
William Edwards: 12-month Community Order with 50 hours of unpaid work, plus an £85 victim surcharge.
Elysia Jones: 12-month Conditional Discharge and a £20 victim surcharge.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, praised the council’s Animal Health team for their efforts.

He said: “I would like to thank the Council’s Animal Health team for pursuing this case and bringing these illegal dog breeders to justice. Let this be a warning to others who continue to disregard the law—we will take action.”

Further information on the council’s work to uphold animal welfare standards can be found at Animal welfare – Carmarthenshire County Council.