London police fraud unit confirms investigation into Doncaster charity sticker seller

Earlier this week, one of the UK’s biggest charities announced that it had passed details of Doncaster sticker seller Phillip Anthony Hartley to the City of London Police’s Action Fraud Unit after it uncovered ‘discrepancies’ between the amount he claimed to have raised for the charity and the amount it has actually received.

Mr Hartley, 37, of Christ Church Road, Doncaster has previously made claims of raising £30,000 for the charity. However, the figure is understood to be nearer just £1,500.

After details of Cancer Research’s investigation broke, Mr Hartley has made a number of videos and social media posts dismissing the story as ‘lies’ and ‘fake news’ and launching a smear campaign against Free Press journalist Darren Burke, who penned the story, accusing him of ‘bullying.’

But Action Fraud has confirmed that an investigation is now under way against bare knuckle boxer Hartley, who dubs himself the Love Campaigner and also uses the name Phillip L’Estrange.

A spokesman said: “Action Fraud can confirm that it received a report on September 23 2020 and it is currently being assessed by the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. This can take anywhere between four to six weeks.”

While Action Fraud does not have investigative powers, it is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime and its reports are sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) which is run by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud.

The NFIB collates and analyses intelligence on fraud, identifying viable lines of enquiry and developing packages for submitting to law enforcement agencies for investigation.

The Free Press has seen details of the case from both Cancer Research and Action Fraud, including the crime reference number.

Hartley, who sells stickers on the streets, has also been told to stop all fundraising activity by Cancer Research UK.

In Facebook posts he says he has raised £300,000 for various charities over the last five years – a figure which equates to roughly £165 a day.

Martin McGlown, spokesman for Cancer Research UK, said: “Following information received, we have looked into Mr Hartley’s fundraising activities and have found discrepancies between the amount of money he publicly claims to have raised and sums received by the charity.

“We have asked Mr Hartley to cease all fundraising activity for Cancer Research UK with immediate effect and we have reported the matter to the police via Action Fraud.

“The charity relies on the generosity of supporters and volunteers to continue its life-saving research into the causes and treatment of cancer and it’s vital that members of the public have trust in those who raise money on our behalf.

“We ask anyone wishing to fundraise for Cancer Research UK to register through our website so that we can offer whatever support they might need, such as official collecting goblets and letters of authority."

In one Facebook post, Hartley wrote: “I have raised nearly £300k for great causes in the past five years. I’ve had five fights for Cancer Research and raised around £30,000 for the cause. I’ve not just raised money for Cancer Research, I’ve bled for them.”

According to his social media, he makes a living selling stickers for £1 on the streets of Doncaster and other local towns and cities, telling buyers that 20% of each sale goes to charity. He also advertises himself as an odd job man and general labourer, again stating that he gives 20% of his earnings to charity.

Anyone with concerns about fundraising activity being undertaken for Cancer Research UK should email [email protected] or phone 0300 123 1022.