A man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after making £500,000 selling bottles of counterfeit wine.
Police said the 34-year-old sold 55 bottles of the fake alcohol to an “unsuspecting customer” for half a million pounds, warning food fraud is “not a victimless offence”.
He was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation after officers from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), and Metropolitan Police attended an address in Essex on 20 August.
The man has since been bailed and enquiries are continuing, police said.
Simon Ashwin, senior investigator at the FSA’s food crime unit, said: “There’s no excuse for this type of food crime. People expect to get what they pay for, not a possible fake bottle of wine.
“Food fraud is not a victimless offence. It can cause significant financial and reputational harm to legitimate businesses who fall victim to fraudsters.
“We encourage businesses to check their suppliers and do their due diligence to help ensure the products they buy are legitimate.
“We continue to work with police and partners to help prevent food crime and track down food fraudsters, so businesses and consumers are protected.”
