Two men have been charged by police in connection with a six-figure mortgage fraud involving properties in Bradford.

The suspects, aged 27 and 42, were charged today with two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two more of money laundering.

The men were initially arrested last summer. Since then police have delved deeper into the case, prompting decisive action to be taken against the pair by the Proceeds of Crime Team (POCA) at Airedale and North Bradford CID.

The charges refer to a total of eight alleged offences involving a £237,500 fraud to falsely purchase properties in Toller Lane, Bradford, and Belgrave Road, in Keighley.

Police have been investigating the matter for the past two years and have described the case as “extremely complex and detailed”.

Detective Inspector John Mountain, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, who led the team behind the investigation, said: “We have now charged two men in connection with an investigation into mortgage fraud which has been ongoing for two years and was fully taken on last year by our new POCA team.”

The team was formed last year and is the first fully dedicated unit of its type at North Bradford Police to investigate financial crime. It is currently working to recover a total of more than £1.5 million in cash and assets which officers have frozen in accounts over the past two years after establishing links to criminal activities in the division.

The latest two men to be charged were released on bail to appear before Bingley magistrates later this month.

Det Insp Mountain urged people to come forward if they suspected that anyone in their neighbourhood was involved in criminal activity. He said: “Inquiries remain ongoing and I would encourage anyone who thinks they know about people living beyond their means or are financially benefiting from crime to contact the Why Should They Campaign on 0800 555111.”