West Yorkshire Police have started an international manhunt for two men from Bradford wanted for their roles in a six-figure counterfeit travellers cheques scam.

Adeniyi Aderibigbe, 32, and Akanimo Idiok, 28, are on the run and have been sentenced in their absence to imprisonment.

Aderibigbe, of Loxley Close, Ravenscliffe, was given, at Bradford Crown Court this week, a three-year sentence for fraud offences. He went absent during his trial.

Idiok, of Grantham Terrace, Little Horton, failed to turn up for his sentence and was given a 21-month jail term.

They were among five Bradford men, of Nigerian descent, prosecuted for their part in the importation and distribution of forged travellers cheques.

Bankole Meroko, 34, of Grantham Terrace, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, and Abiodun Ogunsanya, 26, of Great Horton, was jailed for 21 months.

A fifth man, Femi Adeyinka, 22, of Grantham Terrace, was found not guilty, but failed to attend court and a bench warrant was issued. Warrants for the arrest of Aderibigbe and Idiok have also been issued.

The men were arrested in December, 2011, after a police operation at an address in Grantham Terrace.

Two days earlier, the French authorities at Roissy international airport intercepted a package, sent from Nigeria and addressed to a 'M Smith Shopper,' of Grantham Terrace, Bradford. Inside the package were bundles of forged 500Euro travellers cheques totalling around £137,000.

West Yorkshire Police was made aware of the discovery, and an investigation was launched by the Economic Crime Unit.

In interview, Aderibigbe admitted that he was Mr Shopper but, along with his co-accused, denied any knowledge of the fraud.

Detective Inspector Andy Howard, of West Yorkshire Police's Crime Division, said after the case: "This group was charged with conspiracy to defraud after almost £137,000 worth of counterfeit travellers cheques were discovered in France.

“A further stash of around £60,000 in similar cheques was found inside the Grantham Terrace property when officers made the arrests.

"While we are pleased with the result, we are now actively seeking Idiok and Aderibigbe, and anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact the police via 101."