webfact Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 A British fraudster swapped one resort town in England for another in Thailand to escape being charged with issuing fake driving licences in the UK, leaving the authorities puzzled about his whereabouts for over three years. Leon Childs, from Southend, found himself embroiled in a web of deceit when Paul Ridden, a 70 year old, allegedly confessed to peddling counterfeit driving licences for £1,500 each over a decade. Uncovering damning evidence during a search of Ridden’s abode, investigators stumbled upon a trove of incriminating materials: a transparent folder concealed beneath a bed containing eight bogus licence applications, and a notebook cataloguing clients’ names. Among them was Childs, operating under the alias James Luck. While Ridden admitted to his illicit activities spanning ten years, legal charges against him related specifically to actions since 2017. Found guilty of multiple offences including conspiracy to commit fraud and possession of criminal proceeds, Ridden faced the gavel of Ipswich Crown Court on February 9th, receiving a 15-month prison sentence. The 36 year old Childs, faced similar charges but eluded justice by absconding to Thailand in 2021, evading apprehension ever since. The court refrained from sentencing him in absentia. by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Essex police Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-14 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingtlger Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 (edited) 4 minutes ago, webfact said: Among them was Childs, operating under the alias James Luck. LOL, His LUCK just ran out! Edited February 13 by flyingtlger 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 2 hours ago, webfact said: A British fraudster swapped one resort town in England for another in Thailand to escape being charged with issuing fake driving licences in the UK, leaving the authorities puzzled about his whereabouts for over three years The digital age really doesn't help much in tracing peoples cross-border movements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted February 13 Popular Post Share Posted February 13 Presumably the customers knew what they were buying so is it really fraud? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mikebell Posted February 13 Popular Post Share Posted February 13 3 hours ago, webfact said: issuing fake driving licences in the UK, leaving the authorities puzzled about his whereabouts for over three years. If the British police were left puzzled, imagine the effect he will have on Thai police. Given the market for fake licences in Thailand, this looks a good career move for him so long as he doesn't do any 90 day reporting! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Barry Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Another foreign criminal is attracted to Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Drumbuie Posted February 14 Popular Post Share Posted February 14 29 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Presumably the customers knew what they were buying so is it really fraud? In the absence of an official ID card, a driving licence is accepted photo ID in the UK for all kinds of purposes. Since a driving licence is very easy to obtain for very considerably less than £1500, the only reason someone would pay that much money is presumably criminal purposes. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 22 minutes ago, Drumbuie said: In the absence of an official ID card, a driving licence is accepted photo ID in the UK for all kinds of purposes. Since a driving licence is very easy to obtain for very considerably less than £1500, the only reason someone would pay that much money is presumably criminal purposes. They pay for the change of name with proof, it's not about getting a driving license which requires proof of id 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumbuie Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 25 minutes ago, ukrules said: They pay for the change of name with proof, it's not about getting a driving license which requires proof of id 🙄 Sorry, I haven't had my morning coffee yet - could you explain that more clearly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 (edited) 5 hours ago, webfact said: Leon Childs, from Southend, found himself embroiled in a web of deceit when Paul Ridden, a 70 year old, allegedly confessed to peddling counterfeit driving licences for £1,500 each over a decade. £1,500? For that money, they could probably hop a flight and spend a week on Khao San Road and get a holiday, and a rub and a tug with their fake DL. Of course, I doubt anyone needing a fake £1,500 license has a passport that would make it through airport security and immigration. Edit: Do the Khao San Rd vendors do online sales? Something for an entrepreneurial type to think about... Edited February 14 by impulse 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scouse123 Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 (edited) 34 minutes ago, Drumbuie said: Sorry, I haven't had my morning coffee yet - could you explain that more clearly? To obtain a driving licence you must provide proof such as previous licence, birth certificate, passports etc. Having a ready-made fake driving licence with fake name, means where a driving licence is accepted as proof of ID, (most places) is that you have already done the above process. It can enable the crook to get further IDs, open bank accounts under the new name etc, then you can move on to other false documents, and create a new persona. Edited February 14 by Scouse123 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippytum Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Facebook has dozens of adverts for Thai driving licenses without taking the test.The government are trying to close them but Facebook seem to tolerate scammers . Perhaps this guy has opened a franchise for his business in Thailand . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soi3eddie Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 (edited) 5 hours ago, webfact said: A British fraudster swapped one resort town in England for another in Thailand to escape being charged with issuing fake driving licences in the UK, leaving the authorities puzzled about his whereabouts for over three years. So technically he is innocent as not charged nor convicted. I read the Thaiger and the AN story but could not see any mention of him being arrested in Thailand or facing extradition. Nor his visa status in Thailand. Did I miss something? Or can he continue to reside in The Land of Smiles? Edited February 14 by soi3eddie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 1 hour ago, Drumbuie said: Since a driving licence is very easy to obtain for very considerably less than £1500, the only reason someone would pay that much money is presumably criminal purposes. It's not 'Easy' to obtain, and proper driving lessons costs can be more than 1500 GBP aseptically if you keep failing. Average price UK for lessons is 35GBP an average of 45 lessons are needed 1575GBP, plus on average 20hr extra driving experience. Using your own car with L plates and a licensed driver just won't work, Many years ago the test was quite simple and traffic a lot less. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 6 hours ago, webfact said: eluded justice by absconding to Thailand in 2021, evading apprehension ever since. So still on the run? no mention of an arrest, and he hasn't been sentenced yet either. What's his membership name on AN ? Essex Boy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazykopite Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 For £1,500 you could come to Thailand have a bang or two get a license under the table and use it back home for at least a year if not longer . In the past year you see open corruption on FB and other social media advertising That car and bike licences without having to turn up to the transport office and yet nothing seems to be done about it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 5 hours ago, BritManToo said: Presumably the customers knew what they were buying so is it really fraud? I had full driving licenses, car, PSV, HGV in the UK for over 40 years. No accidents. With the exception of health reasons which I don't have at present, if I went back to the UK and wanted a driving license and they started making things difficult for me I would pay the £1,500 for it as it would be a victimless crime, and I have proven my driving abilities. Today in Thailand, if it was being made hard for me to renew my motorbike license, I would not hesitate to pay "under the table" for one as I have proven my ability to handle a motorbike with over 17 years of riding experience with no accidents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 5 hours ago, Drumbuie said: In the absence of an official ID card, a driving licence is accepted photo ID in the UK for all kinds of purposes. Since a driving licence is very easy to obtain for very considerably less than £1500, the only reason someone would pay that much money is presumably criminal purposes. What is the average cost of someone starting afresh to get a driving license in the UK? I may be wrong, but taking everything into account. I think it could cost a bit more than £1,500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave0206 Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Unless someone @ dvla was assisting the fake driving licence surely could only be used for basic I'd. If ever you had a police check where they called it in to check if you had outstanding charges game over. So unless I'm missing something expensive piece of plastic. Plus if I paid £1500 I'm not to happy he kept a ledger with my Name and name on new drivers licence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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