Fraudsters busted after buying McDonald's Chicken McNuggets meal at a Hampshire drive-through

A pair of fraudsters who conned people across the country were busted after buying Chicken McNuggets at a McDonald’s drive-through in Hampshire - as part of a spending spree on a stolen credit card.

Raphael Adebanjo, 28, and Roland Ogundare, 31 were put on Hampshire Constabulary’s radar after taking a credit card from a woman in her 70s in Hampshire.

The woman, who lives in Winchester had been contacted in May 2023 by someone pretending to be from her bank, warning her about a suspicious payment that needed blocking. The caller convinced her to part with her PIN, before collecting her bank card from her home.

The defendants then went to West Quay in Southampton and spoiled themselves to fraudulently purchased Apple products and a McDonald’s. They made a further attempt with her card in John Lewis, but this did not work.

The duo were identified by police following CCTV enquiries after the initial report. Officers were able to track them through West Quay into the carpark, and through a McDonald’s drive-thru where they bought two Chicken McNugget meals.

This footage then identified the vehicle that was being driven and identified Ogundare as the driver of the vehicle. Adebanjo was identified as his accomplice and both were arrested in June 2023.

A search of their homes uncovered evidence including a fake passport, driving licence, bank cards and utility bills in victim’s names at Adebanjo’s home. These proved that Adebanjo had arranged mobile phone contracts in the names of his victims.

Detectives were also able to show that Ogundare had the phone used to call the Hampshire victim and seven more victims across the country.

The court heard Ogundare phoned many people across the country pretending to be an employee from their bank in order to gain bank details and personal information.

Whilst police were at his home, a company attempted to deliver £1,722 of bathroom fittings, which were purchased fraudulently.

Both Ogundare and Adebanjo had lists of bank account details for multiple people, which included the victims they had offended against.

Adebanjo was charged with six counts of fraud by false representation, two counts of possession of an article for use in fraud and two counts of possessing a false identity without reasonable excuse.

Ogundare was charged with 13 counts of fraud by false representation, and one count of possession of an article for use in fraud.

Detective Constable Mike Dumbleton, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Economic Crime Investigation Team, said: “I am convinced this investigation uncovered only a fraction of Ogundare and Adebanjo’s overall offending.

“Fraud does not only cause financial loss to the victims. It can cause emotional distress, depression and a lack of trust in society in general.

“Victims of identity theft may suffer a drop in their credit rating that affects their ability to obtain mortgages or loans and may spend weeks or months trying to clear their credit rating.

“This was a long investigation, but I am pleased the strength of the evidence gathered led to both suspects pleading guilty at first opportunity.”

Londoners Adebanjo, of Maran Way in Erith, and Ogundare, of Chipperfield Road in Orpington. appeared before Southampton Crown Court on Friday having pleaded guilty to a combined total of 24 counts of fraud.

Ogundare was jailed for 30 months, with an 18-month sentence for possession of an article used in fraud to run concurrently.

Adebanjo received a nine-month sentence, suspended for three years. He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work.