Nathan Scott Hudson (pictured left) from Cottingham, East Yorkshire set up fake business offering discounted house rentals and short breaks, according to police.
In April 2015, Hudson set up Post Pad Lettings, which billed itself as an intermediary between landlords and tenants, providing services such as cleaners and electricians.
He employed staff and used credit to rent office space to take money from customers who then received nothing in return.
After just a few months the company stopped trading and Hudson disappeared with rent for office space and wages for staff left unpaid.
The pattern continued with companies set up to offer online short breaks, holidays and leisure activities.
Hudson used numerous aliases including Nathan Westbury, Matthew Roberts, and Matthew Collins, and his behaviour covered multiple areas, including Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Plymouth, Cornwall, Poole, and Chancery Lane in London.
The Joint Fraud Taskforce, the City of London Police and Humberside Police have appealed for information on Hudson or for victims of his crimes to come forward.
Takes advantage
Detective Constable Andrew Chapman from Humberside Police said: “Nathan Hudson uses various aliases and comes across as a very plausible and likeable person but he is not.
“He takes advantage of those around him and anyone he has contact with, even via telephone and the internet. His actions ultimately cause financial difficulties to individuals and businesses alike.
“Hudson has also used the names of high-profile companies and charitable organisations to generate money. This shows how low he will go for his own personal gain.”
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 01482 340639.
Wanted fraudsters
The Joint Fraud Taskforce has also asked for help in catching seven other wanted fraudsters.
They include Denis Marku from south London who carried out frauds while working as a bank cashier; and six people including a husband and wife, who took part in rogue trader scams across the country.
Katy Worobec, managing director of economic crime at UK Finance, said: “Fraud affects the whole of society, so eradicating it requires action from all corners.
“Through the Joint Fraud Taskforce the finance industry is combining with law enforcement and the government to make the UK the most hostile environment in the world for fraudsters.
“The industry also fully sponsors a specialist police unit, the dedicated card and payment crime unit, which targets the organised criminal groups responsible for these crimes.”
