Cheese crooks steal 22 tonnes of cheddar worth £300,000 in sophisticated scam
A sophisticated scam targeting artisan cheesemakers has resulted in the theft of 22 tonnes of cheddar that was valued over £300,000.
Neal’s Yard Dairy, a London-based distributor and retailer of British cheese, fell victim to fraudsters who posed as a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.
The upmarket company is now working with UK and international law enforcement agencies to identify the perpetrators of this elaborate scam.
Neal’s Yard Dairy was tricked into delivering 22 tonnes of cheddar, including sought-after varieties such as Hafod Welsh organic cheddar, Westcombe cheddar, and Pitchfork cheddar.
The stolen cheeses retail £7.15 and £12.90 for a 250 to 300g piece.
Fraudsters posed as legitimate wholesalers before receiving the 950 clothbound cheeses from the Southwark-based company before it was realised they were a fake firm.
Despite the significant financial losses, the company has honoured its commitment to small-scale suppliers by paying three artisan cheesemakers in full.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they received a report of the theft on October 21.
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Scotland Yard is now investigating the “theft of a large quantity of cheese”.
A spokesman added: “Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances.”
No arrests have been made in relation to the alleged theft but the company is taking steps to ensure both its financial stability and the continued development of the British artisan cheese sector.
Patrick Holden, owner of the farm producing Hafod cheddar, said “It might sound naive to fall victim to a scam, but the truth is that the artisan cheese world is a place where trust is deeply embedded in all transactions.”
Tom Calver, a director of Westcombe Dairy, added: “The process of making that cheese started almost three years ago when we planted seeds for the animals’ feed in the ground.”
Calver also praised Neals Yard Dairy for ensuring payment “even in the darkest of times.”
Neal’s Yard Dairy, which was established in the 1980s, has long been a champion of British and Irish farm-made and artisan cheeses.
The company operates four shops in London and offers online sales and subscriptions.
In response to the theft, Neal’s Yard Dairy is encouraging customers to continue supporting them.
The company said: “We encourage customers to continue supporting us in the coming months by choosing our cheeses, knowing that every purchase helps sustain our commitment to the small-scale producers we champion.”