Crimestoppers Launched ‘Too Much Bling? Give Us A Ring’ Campaign

Having trouble handling the financial crisis and yet some people display their ‘bling’ right in your face? Ever wondered how come one of your neighbors is having three sports cars, tons of jewelry and smiles with his grillz (gold teeth) at you? Astonished or just driven by envy, report him! Maybe he is a criminal.

Gloucestershire Police and Crimestoopers have recently launch their anti-crime campaign, in which people are kindly asked to anonymously report anybody who drives flashy cars or buys expensive items without apparent means to afford them.

Detective Inspector Bill Matthews, Head of the Force’s Economic Crime Unit, explains: “If there’s someone in your neighborhood who drives a fancy car, wears designer clothes, flashes their cash and generally lives well beyond their means, and you think they may be financing all this from criminal activity, we want you to call and tell us.”

"Once there is enough evidence pointing to the cash or property being the result of crime, the owner must explain where it has come from – which can be a difficult thing to do if they’ve got a house their known income cannot pay for; a top of the range Mercedes or BMW on the drive; lavish furnishings and lifestyle, and £10K cash from dealing drugs under the bed”

Police say the money coming from the seized cars and other properties will be used to fight crime and fund the training of more financial investigators. ‘Too Much Bling? Give Us A Ring’  has already recorded success in other areas of Britain, thus encouraging police to support the Crimestoppers campaign everywhere.

Take for example the greedy money launderer that had his BMW car and Yamaha motorbike confiscated. Patrick Forbes, 27, of Warrior Close, Portslade, was jailed for 15 months after admitting to four charges of money laundering. Forbe's car, a BMW 330Ci, and Yamaha motorcycle were included and will be auctioned.