THREE men were jailed for 15 years between them for defrauding more than 40 auction houses of £800,000 after a local firm blew the whistle.

Londoner Farouk Dougui, 39, was jailed for five years for conspiracy to defraud with an additional two months for contempt of court, while Jabey Alan Bathurst, 23, of Middlesex, was handed four years.

Simohamed Rahmoun, 30, pleaded guilty to his part in the conspiracy during the trial and was given six years.

It comes after a six week trial at Isleworth Crown Court heard evidence against the defendants relating to a series of fraudulent transactions between May and November 2010.

The three offenders worked together in their plan to defraud by using foreign-based fake credit cards to pay for valuable jewellery at a number of high profile auction houses. They also purchased electrical goods and car parts.

By the time the victims became aware the cards were fake, the offenders had collected the items which were worth many thousands of pounds.

Staff at Kidson-Trigg auctioneers, in Highworth, were the ones who spotted the fraudsters and called police.

A total of 43 separate companies across the UK, including some based in Salisbury, Swindon, Corsham and Trowbridge, were defrauded in excess of £800,000.

The offenders used their criminal activities to fund a lifestyle way beyond their means.

Rahmoun was claiming benefit at the time of the offences but had high value cars at his disposal in Morocco and Spain such as a Bentley convertible, Audis and Mini Coopers.

A police spokesman said: “Det Con Amanda Carver worked tirelessly with dedication to securing evidence, detailed analysis of the financial aspects, and unwavering commitment to bringing these offenders to justice is outstanding.

“DC Carver was the sole investigator on this large scale fraud case and it is down to her diligence and skill that we have three offenders sentenced.”

Speaking after the trio were convicted in February, DC Carver said: “My investigation highlighted victim after victim and the true extent of their fraudulent activity only became clear when I collated all the similar offences across the country and abroad.”

She added: “The group showed no remorse for the distress and financial difficulties they caused their victims.”

In complex fraud cases information from the public is often crucial for identifying suspects.

If you are aware of someone in your community who maintains an expensive lifestyle without appearing to have the means to pay for it contact Wiltshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.