Four sentenced after £4.3 million counterfeit designer goods, benefit and insurance fraud investigation

Four people from Southport have been sentenced following a major investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit which uncovered a multi million pound counterfeit designer goods operation, benefit fraud and a fraudulent insurance claim.

The investigation centred on Megan Carney Borrowman, her husband Jordan Borrowman, her mother Sandra Carney and associate Adam Yaffe.

The four appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing following the investigation. Court listings confirm the case was before Her Honour Judge Brandon on 1 October 2026.

Investigation began with counterfeit Chanel and Stone Island goods

According to NWROCU, the investigation began after brand protection representatives for Chanel and Stone Island reported concerns to police following test purchases made from an Instagram account linked to counterfeit designer goods.

Search warrants were carried out in November 2022 at addresses connected to the group.

Officers discovered large quantities of counterfeit designer clothing, footwear and accessories, as well as business records and customer returns.

During a subsequent search, officers recovered £158,000 in cash concealed inside a child’s bedroom.

Further enquiries uncovered a substantial online business operating through Instagram and WhatsApp groups, selling counterfeit luxury goods to customers across the UK.

Financial investigators established that business accounts had received more than £4.3 million between 2019 and 2023.

Investigators said Megan Carney Borrowman played a leading role in the operation, while Jordan Borrowman, Sandra Carney and Adam Yaffe each played a part in supporting and facilitating the criminal enterprise.

The four had previously pleaded guilty to offences connected with the investigation.

£73,000 in overpaid benefits uncovered

As the investigation progressed, officers identified concerns regarding benefit claims made by Megan Carney Borrowman.

NWROCU worked alongside the Department for Work and Pensions, with investigators finding that significant assets, income and changes in personal circumstances had not been declared while benefits were being claimed.

The DWP calculated that the offending resulted in approximately £73,000 in overpaid benefits.

Rolex reported lost was later recovered by police.

A further strand of the investigation uncovered a fraudulent insurance claim involving a Rolex watch which had been reported as lost in 2021.

An insurance company subsequently paid out approximately £8,000.

However, during a search warrant executed in March 2024, officers recovered the same Rolex watch from Megan Carney Borrowman.

Police said the serial number matched that of the watch which had previously been reported lost and for which compensation had already been paid.

Police statement

Detective Inspector Adam Williams of NWROCU described the case as a sophisticated and long running trademarks and money laundering offence which generated significant profits through the sale of counterfeit designer goods while also exploiting public funds and defrauding an insurance company.

He said the defendants had gone to considerable lengths to disguise their offending, but detailed financial investigation and partnership working had enabled officers to uncover the full extent of the criminality.

DI Williams also warned that counterfeit goods are far from a victimless crime, with proceeds potentially supporting wider organised criminality while consumers can be deceived into buying products they believe are genuine.

He said the case demonstrated NWROCU’s commitment to pursuing offenders who seek to profit through fraud and to protecting businesses and the public from financial harm.

The sentences

Megan Carney Borrowman, 35, of Birdling Drive, Southport

She was sentenced for:

• Conspiracy to contravene Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994

• Conspiracy to acquire criminal property

• Conspiracy to defraud

• Benefit fraud offences

Megan Carney Borrowman was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment.

Jordan Borrowman, 35, of Birdling Drive, Southport

He was sentenced for:

• Conspiracy to contravene Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994

• Conspiracy to acquire criminal property

• Benefit fraud offences

Jordan Borrowman was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Sandra Carney, 65, of Court Road, Southport

She was sentenced for:

• Conspiracy to contravene Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994

• Conspiracy to acquire criminal property

• Aid and abet fraud

• Conspiracy to defraud

Sandra Carney was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Adam Yaffe, 54, of Gateford Way, Southport

He was sentenced for:

• Conspiracy to contravene Section 92 of the Trade Marks Act 1994

• Conspiracy to acquire criminal property

Adam Yaffe was sentenced to an 18 month community order and 120 hours of unpaid work.

The investigation was carried out by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, working with partners including the Department for Work and Pensions.