Three people charged over scam car robberies

Three people from Oldham have been charged in connection with a series of armed robberies across Greater Manchester. 

Two men and a woman have been charged in relation to an investigation into armed robbers allegedly attacking car buyers throughout the region, by luring them to various locations with fake online adverts. 

Greater Manchester Police are linking 12 robberies where victims arrived to buy a car with cash but were instead threatened to hand over their money with a gun, machete or hammer. 

One woman had a gun put to her head. 

The robbers found their victims using fake eBay adverts. 

Debra Brooker, 41, of Block Lane, Mohammed Nazir, 22, of Manley Road, and Adam Marco, 19, of Kent Street, have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. 

They have all been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today (Monday). 

Five people were arrested on Friday (February 14) in connection with the armed robberies, which happened between Tuesday 19 November 2019 and Wednesday 22 January 2020. 

Police say two men – aged 43 and 24 – have been released under investigation.

Detective Inspector Joseph Harrop, of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “Our dedicated team of detectives have been working extensively to investigate this shocking string of violent and abhorrent attacks and while we have made five arrests, we continue to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“It is important that the intensity of this investigation persists and therefore we continue to ask members of the public to contact police if they have any information or concerns that they have relating to armed robberies of this nature.

“I would also like to remind members of the public to remain vigilant and alert when dealing with online advertisements on auction sites and anyone with any suspicions should contact police in confidence immediately.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 1926 of 21/01/2020. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.