A man from Kent has been charged with being part of a conspiracy to cheat victims out of almost £180,000.

Limar Atiera, of Ramsgate, is one of three suspects to have appeared in court following reports of fraud affecting people across the UK.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate launched an investigation after receiving reports that trade customers had been tricked into paying money into the wrong bank accounts.

The victims allegedly transferred money into the suspect accounts having been contacted by criminals pretending to represent legitimate businesses.

A total of 10 victims from across the UK have so far been identified, with the alleged offences committed between January 2018 and December 2019.

The total cost to victims is believed to have reached almost £180,000.

Mr Atiera, 27, from Ramsgate; Mayowa Christopher, 29, of no fixed address; and Folaranmi Lawal, 29, from Greenwich, have all since been charged with conspiracy to launder money.

Mr Lawal was further charged with possessing items for use in fraud, namely a laptop computer and memory disk.

A hearing was held at Thanet Magistrates’ Court on Thursday September 28, where Mr Atiera and Mr Lawal were granted bail, and Mr Christopher was remanded in custody.

The next hearing will be at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday October 30.