Narinder Kaur, a 56-year-old serial shoplifter formerly known as Nina Tiara, has been granted a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) at Bristol Crown Court after she accumulated more than £500,000 through fraudulent refund schemes. The order was granted on Friday 9 October and will last for four years.
Kaur was convicted of 26 offences including fraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice at Gloucestershire Crown Court on 30 July 2024, where she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. She has since been released eight years early, and the SCPO is intended to restrict her activities and prevent reoffending.
A sophisticated and sustained fraud operation
Between July 2015 and September 2019, Kaur travelled extensively across the UK, targeting major retailers by stealing items and then obtaining fraudulent refunds for them. Investigators from West Mercia Police estimated that she gained around £2,000 each week through her criminality, which totalled more than £500,000 in stolen goods and fraudulent refunds.
Even while under investigation, Kaur continued her illegal activities. She used dishonestly obtained credit card details belonging to members of the public in an attempt to defraud additional businesses. She was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after submitting false documentation during criminal proceedings.
Police response to the SCPO
Detective Sergeant Tarryn Schimmel, from the Economic Crime Unit at West Mercia Police, said: "Narinder Kaur was a prolific and determined fraudster whose offending caused substantial losses to retailers, businesses and individuals across the country."
DS Schimmel added: "Her criminality was sophisticated, sustained over a number of years and continued even when she knew she was under investigation. The granting of this Serious Crime Prevention Order recognises the seriousness of her offending and provides additional measures to help prevent future criminal activity."
What the order means
A Serious Crime Prevention Order is a civil court order that can restrict a person’s activities for up to five years to prevent their involvement in serious crime. Any breach of the order could be punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Anyone who breaches the conditions of an SCPO can face further criminal sanctions, and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary." The order was granted for four years from Friday 9 October, and Kaur will be subject to its conditions during that period.
