Gambling fraudster back behind bars (From The Argus)

Sussex's cleverest criminal back behind bars

11:20am Wednesday 14th November 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

A man dubbed Sussex’s cleverest criminal is back behind bars after breaching an order intended to stop him offending.

Alistair Peckover assumed false identities to fleece online gambling sites.

He was the first person in Sussex to be given a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) just a few months ago.

Serial fraudster Peckover, from Crawley, had been convicted of fraud for the third time in three years and police hoped the stringent conditions set in the SCPO would stop him undertaking any more criminal activity.

But Peckover breached his SCPO last week whilst committing further fraud.

He assumed two new identities, using the names James Green and Stephen Chalk.

Using both names he opened up multiple gambling accounts with online casinos, giving false addresses, email accounts and fraudulent proof of identity.

Roulette scam

He then discovered a way to manipulate online games to guarantee no loss when playing and making thousands of pounds.

One of his scams was betting on red or black in roulette.

He would gamble £1,000 on red but also £1 on black while running the software.

If red came in he would collect the winnings but if it was black the bet was cancelled and he would simply play again.

Misuse Following inquiries by detectives from the Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit, he was arrested on Thursday, October 11, and charged with breaching his SCPO and with two offences of computer misuse.

Detective Inspector Ali Eaton of the Economic Crime Unit said: “He discovered a way to manipulate online games to guarantee no loss when playing and making thousands of pounds.

“There is no doubt he will get a lengthy prison sentence this time but what else needs to be done to stop |his persistent criminal activity?”

Peckover, now known as William Graeme Peckover, of Sheppey Close, Broadfield, appeared at Haywards Heath Magistrates’ Court and has been remanded in custody.

He is due to appear at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing.

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