Scammer steals 22 tonnes of Cheddar cheese from Neal's Yard in London

More than 22 tonnes of luxury Cheddar cheese has been stolen from a London business in a "sophisticated fraud".

Bosses at Neal's Yard Dairy said the firm had lost clothbound Cheddar worth more than £300,000 after they were conned by a fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.

They said they only discovered the person's identity was fake after the total of 950 cheeses were delivered.

Despite what they described as a "significant financial blow", the business said it had honoured its commitment to its small-scale suppliers and had already paid the three artisan cheesemakers in full.

"The company is now taking steps to address the situation to ensure both its financial stability and the continued development of the British artisan cheese sector," it added.

The three types of artisan cheeses stolen were Hafod Welsh Organic Cheddar, Westcombe Cheddar, and Pitchfork Cheddar.

"Between them, these cheeses have won numerous awards and are amongst the most sought-after artisan cheeses in the UK," Neil's Yard said.

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"The high monetary value of these cheeses likely made them a particular target for the thieves."

Patrick Holden, who owns the farm where Hafod Cheddar is made, added: "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.

"The breach of trust by this fraudulent customer is a violation of the atmosphere of good faith and respect that all of Neal's Yard Dairy's trading relationships have personified over the years. It's a world where one's word is one's bond."

Tom Calver, a director of Westcombe Dairy, said they were "devastated that this fraud has targeted one of our most valued customers".

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is investigating "a report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese from a manufacturer based in Southwark".

"Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances," a statement said.

(c) Sky News 2024: Scammer steals 22 tonnes of Cheddar cheese from Neal's Yard in London