Three arrested as fraud probe at University of Greater Manchester continues
Police are investigating £1 million of alleged fraud and bribery
Last updated 8th Jul 2026
Two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s have been arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud, and bribery connected to alleged financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester.
The arrests follow a year-long investigation by the Major Incident Team which began after allegations emerged from The Mill publication and a report by Price Waterhouse Cooper commissioned by the university's Fraud Response Panel.
According to investigators, evidence suggests fraudulent activity exceeding £1 million. The team is examining approximately 60 transactions and scrutinising over a million emails.
The operation saw warrants executed earlier on 8th July across five properties in Bolton, Lancashire, Humberside, and West Yorkshire.
Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson described the arrests as a crucial development in the ongoing investigation:
"This is a key development in this significant and complex investigation which is seeing our detectives conduct painstaking work. This is a lengthy operation, and we are following every line of enquiry to ensure we are in a position to compile the strongest possible evidence for a potential prosecution."
The investigation, led by detectives working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service's Serious Economic Crime team, aims to compile a comprehensive file of evidence by year’s end for legal advice.
Jackson also emphasised the potential impact on students, stating:
"We don’t lose sight of the fact that at the heart of this are students whose university experience has been impacted by money that should’ve been invested in their education instead allegedly being used for personal gain."
The team continues to collaborate with the Office for Students and the university, encouraging staff to provide any information that could assist the inquiries.