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BHA and PJA tackle fraud issue

Paul Hanagan victim of fraudPaul Hanagan victim of fraud
© Photo Healy Racing

The British Horseracing Authority is working with the Professional Jockeys Association to ensure vigilance in the weighing room after several riders had money fraudulently taken from their bank accounts.

Within the last week and a half, Paul Hanagan, Joe Fanning, Robert Havlin and Andrew Tinkler have had cash, thought to be in the region of £20,000, illegally withdrawn by an imposter from accounts held at Barclays.

BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "We are working with the PJA and others to assist and advise on this matter. For example, we can use our central intelligence database to collate information, which is one way of helping."

He added: "One issue is that some of these frauds are taking place in different parts of the country.

"The situation we are finding is that the banks might pay the money back to the individual who has been defrauded, the matter is closed and, as a result, the police do not necessarily realise it is not just a one-off problem in their region - it is happening all over the country.

"We are also seeking to assist in elevating it so police at a central, national level might help tackle the issue."

Havlin confirmed via social media that money had been illegally obtained from his account.

He tweeted: "Any jockeys be vigilant with your bank accounts somebody is posing as jockeys and withdrawing large sums from your account."

A number of riders, including Andrew Thornton, Nick Scholfield, Jim Crowley and Dougie Costello, had earlier in the year also fallen victim of similarly fraudulent purposes.

Scholfield said he was targeted, but that NatWest had swiftly reimbursed the cash that had been removed from his account.

He told Press Association Sport: "I was aware of this around four months ago when NatWest gave me a call.

"They were very good about it and reimbursed the money, but it happened numerous times. It was not ideal, but I guess all of us need to keep our eye on the ball."

Costello also has a NatWest account and had £5,400 illegally withdrawn during the same day.

He said: "My wife picked up on what was going on as I'm that busy that I rarely get time to go into the bank.

"It was money taken from a branch in either Leicester or Nottingham. He had fake ID and was allowed to take £2,700 out in a lump sum.

"Fifteen minutes later he took out the same amount from another branch.

"To be fair, NatWest were very good to me. They apologised and said it was something they should have picked up on.

"It was a bit frightening, but speaking to other jockeys like Jim Crowley and Andrew Thornton, it sounds like it could have been worse and that I got lucky."