Massive Cheese Heist Leaves British Cheesemakers in Turmoil
A sophisticated scam has resulted in the theft of 22 tonnes of artisanal cheddar, valued at nearly $400,000, leaving Neal's Yard Dairy facing financial uncertainty.
- Fraudsters posing as a French distributor deceived Neal's Yard Dairy into delivering 22 metric tons of cheddar cheese, worth approximately £300,000 ($390,000).
- A 63-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and handling stolen goods, but the cheese remains missing.
- The heist has financially impacted Neal's Yard Dairy, though they have managed to pay the involved cheesemakers in full.
- Cheesemakers are concerned about the long-term implications for their industry, which relies heavily on trust and honesty.
- Authorities and the cheese community are on alert, warning against purchasing stolen cheese and urging vigilance in international markets.