FSA, NFCU: Arrest Made in £500K Counterfeit Wine Probe

We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Food Standards Agency (FSA) and National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) officers attended an address in Essex on Thursday 20 August, supported by the Metropolitan Police Service who arrested one suspect. Image of wine bottles stored in a wooden rack. A 34-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, linked to the supply of suspected counterfeit wine. The male has been bailed and enquiries continue. Suspected counterfeit wine was sold to an unsuspecting victim – 55 bottles, at nearly £10,000 per bottle, to the sum of over half a million pounds. “There’s no excuse for this type of food crime. People expect to get what they pay for, not a possible fake bottle of wine. “Food fraud is not a victimless offence. It can cause significant financial and reputational harm to legitimate businesses who fall victim to fraudsters. “We encourage businesses to check their suppliers and do their due diligence to help ensure the products they buy are legitimate. We continue to work with police and partners to help prevent food crime and track down food fraudsters, so businesses and consumers are protected.” The following links open in a new tab Share on Facebook (opens in new tab) Share on X (opens in new tab) Updates to this page Published 26 August 2026 Is this page useful? Maybe Yes this page is useful No this page is not useful Thank you for your feedback Report a problem with this page Help us improve GOV.UK Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript ) .