A wanted fraudster has been using an elaborate 'organic produce' scam to prey on Scots who believed they were supporting local businesses. Mark Bullen is currently wanted by Kent Police for similar rackets he ran across the UK.
The fraudster has now been conning residents in Edinburgh and the Lothians by operating a fruit and vegetable delivery service. One ex-employee told of how Bullen punts veg to unsuspecting shoppers, claiming it is all organic produce from local farms when it was actually snapped up from the Tesco discount aisles.
It is alleged some buyers received nothing while others were given one or two boxes before being completely ignored. The driver also claims he was never paid for his work and discovered he was working for a fraudster after researching Bullen online, an Edinburgh Live investigation has revealed.
Bullen, 52, is also known to go by the name Paul and uses several surnames, including Pullen, Wilson, and Cullen. He also has links to Sussex and Norfolk. He is wanted by Kent Police "in connection with a fraud offence in the Tunbridge Wells area" and recently featured on BBC Crimewatch, where they described him as 50 years old, bald, with a grey beard.
Police Scotland has confirmed reports of fraud have been made in Edinburgh with "enquires ongoing". Bullen scammed one Edinburgh resident out of £178 after charging customers in the capital £19.50 for a mixed fruit and veg box, £10.99 for a veg box and £11.99 per fruit box.
Elizabeth McMillan Russell said: “I paid for fruit and veg boxes in advance. We got two deliveries, then nothing. I asked for a refund, but he stalled and put it off and then nothing.”
One of the delivery service drivers, who asked to remain anonymous, says he was promised £15-an-hour to run the fruit and veg boxes but when he approached Bullen for his wages, he was told they were "on the way".
The source told Edinburgh Live: “He said his accountant is sorting it out, so I typed all the details of what he was due me. Then, I did a bit of digging and found out everything. He’s a fraudster. He’s been doing this for years all over England and Wales, so I knew I wasn’t going to get my wages.
"I sent him a message saying pay my wages, or else all your information that I’ve found will be plastered all over Facebook. He said he’ll post my wages by bank transfer, but he never did.”
The driver soon discovered Bullen had multiple aliases and had previously ran fruit and veg scams up and down the UK. Victims of the conman say he asked for money up front for regular deliveries. Some claimed he followed through with one delivery, before delaying on future deliveries and eventually going to ground on them.
One local resident claimed after paying up front for several deliveries, she was left empty handed. She said: “Will I receive anything, or will I receive a refund? I have in no way had £60 worth of anything.”
Susan Arthur, another Edinburgh resident, said she also received nothing after paying upfront. She told Edinburgh Live: "He has taken £70 for the so called 'Christmas Box'. I asked on a number of occasions for my money back, no answer. He does not answer the phone or messages."
Another victim, who believes hundreds of people have lost money in the scam, added: “He’s a scammer. My brother didn’t get his full wage from him, and I know he just buys stuff at Tesco and claims it’s vegan local produce.”
Mark featured in the 'Wanted Faces' section of BBC's Crimewatch show on March 13. Bullen also has previous for fraud and was prosecuted in 2005 for flogging fake signatures of famous sportsmen while using his Mark Pullen alias.
He was sentenced to three months in jail and ordered to pay costs of £1,725. More recently, he’s been seen to be advertising his delivery service not only in Edinburgh, but in Glasgow, Fife and St Andrews.
A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Trading Standards said: "As we are restricted in terms of disclosure relating to our enforcement work, we are unable to make any comment regarding complaints about specific businesses at this time.
"However, City of Edinburgh Trading Standards are keen to hear from any consumer who has experienced issues like this. This is how we are able to target our enforcement action appropriately - we are able to take action where the collective interests of consumers are being harmed by the actions of a trader, or in circumstances where the conduct would merit criminal proceedings."
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