A loan shark who ran a ‘payday loan scheme’ targeting vulnerable people as he bought and sold games consoles online has been jailed for four years.
Alan Fawcett ran his illegal money lending operation in the Greater Manchester area, giving out around £100,000 in loans and receiving around £130,000 back in repayments over a two-year period, Bolton Crown Court heard.
The court was told that when borrowers struggled to repay what they had borrowed, he threatened them, leaving some ‘living in fear’ for themselves and their families.
One of the borrowers in the case said after the hearing: “Alan made me isolate myself and I’ve not been able to get straight since. I still close my blinds, and I don’t leave the house. Now hopefully this is finally over I can move on.”
Fawcett, aged 54, of Wigan, admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between 2021 and 2023 but had disputed the amounts involved and that any threats were involved.
After a trial of issue, Mr Recorder Nicholas Flanagan today (FEB 4 2026) found against Fawcett. He sentenced him to four years in jail for money laundering and 18 months for illegal money lending, to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for four years in total as driving was an integral part of the offending. The case was prosecuted by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) in partnership with Wigan Council Trading Standards and Greater Manchester Police.
The court heard that a report was made to the IMLT in November 2022. IMLT investigators and officers from Greater Manchester Police executed a warrant at Fawcett’s address in Warrington Road, Ince, Wigan, on February 15, 2023. Investigations showed payments were paid into his account with references of ‘repay’ ‘loan’, ‘owed’ and ‘money’.
Fawcett told officers he ran a business on an online marketplace, buying and selling devices like TVs and Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
Investigators found that in two years Fawcett made loans to 72 different borrowers, lending at least £100,000 and receiving payments of at least £130,000 charging at least 50 per cent interest. Recorder Flanagan estimated one borrower had seen an increase of around 500 per cent over a two-month period.
Several victims said their first contact with Fawcett was in relation to the sale of a games console online and they were then told that he offered loans.
Some witnesses said there were veiled threats and intimidation, and they were told his ‘boys’ would come round if they failed to pay.
Recorder Flanagan said Fawcett ‘teased people into loans’ and ran a ‘considerable enterprise’. An aggravating feature was that he had likely concealed some loans.
He said some borrowers were afraid they would never repay what they had borrowed and others were ‘frightened for the safety of their children’.
He said: “One victim had to leave his job because of the stress caused and because of threats by you and has not been the same since.”
He added that Fawcett had sought to ‘minimise his impact’ and had no empathy for others.
Fawcett told the court he said he suffered from health issues but the Judge told him: “I accept your problems with mental health, but your physical health issues were not as pronounced or impactful as suggested.”
Speaking after the hearing, head of the IMLT, Dave Benbow, said: “These borrowers were targeted through an online selling platform, and they were chosen because they were vulnerable.
“These illegal lenders appear as though they are doing the borrower a favour, but things soon turn ugly and even violent. We will not tolerate this and will do whatever we can to rid our communities of these criminals and stop them targeting the vulnerable in person or online.”
Councillor Kevin Anderson, Wigan Council’s portfolio holder for police, crime and civil contingencies, said: “Through the Community Safety Partnership, we are proud to work alongside partners to ensure our communities are safe.
“This sentence illustrates the partnerships firm stance against illegal lenders who exploit vulnerable residents.
“There are cheaper and safer alternatives to loan sharks. Although they may seem like an easy option, people may not realise the detrimental impact it can have in the long term. Support is always available to anyone concerned about loan shark activity, to find out more visit: Here for you.”
The IMLT, known as Stop Loan Sharks, is a national team hosted by Birmingham City Council. Anyone concerned about loan shark activity can call the IMLT’s confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222 for support and advice. There is also a live chat facility on the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk and a WhatsApp messaging service – 07700 102773 – available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday.
