The Food Standards Agency has warned firms about an identity theft fraud, which it fears could lead to the sale of unsafe food.
Fraudsters supposedly target small legitimate wholesale businesses supplying meat, seafood and fruit and vegetables. They acquire authentic company letter heads and change contact details, then contact a genuine wholesaler/importer and order food from them. Before deliveries occur, the driver is contacted and the location switched and the fraudsters secure the goods and try to sell them on cheaply.