A SOUTHAMPTON woman helped to launder more than £1 million for a gang of telephone fraudsters.

Nadirah Peters, 39, was one of five people who created fake businesses to launder the money, stolen from victims of four call centre scams - known as 'boiler room' operations.

More than £1.2 million was stolen from 180 victims, who were tricked into believing they were investing in gold or broadcast airtime.

Peters, of Lawn Road, Southampton, was one of six people who helped to launder the money, along with Carl Maude, 57, of Kennet Drive, Milton Keynes.

Peters, Maude and the other five men opened bank accounts for fake businesses and laundered a total of £1,249,309, which had been stolen from around 180 victims who thought they were investing in gold or broadcast airtime.

Between January 2013 and December 2013, Maude received approximately £107,680 through his bank account.

Peters received around £109,137 between April 2013 and January 2014.

But their criminal actions were unravelled by the City of London's Police's Fraud Squad, who were tipped off about the boiler rooms by a BBC journalist.

The Fraud Squad say the reporter began her own after receiving a call by one of the boiler rooms, before referring the case onto the police.

At Luton Crown Court Peters and Maude were sentenced to 13 months each in prison after being found guilty of money laundering.

Detective Constable Joby Reeve, from the City of London Police’s Fraud Squad, who investigated said: “Despite claiming they were unaware that the money they laundered was from a boiler room operation, our investigation has shown that Peters and Maude knew all along.

“People should always be wary when they receive a cold call and never take up offers of investments on the spot.

"If you have been a victim, it’s also important that you are cautious of any further cold calls you receive, as fraudsters may claim they are aware of your previous investments and can help you get back the money you have lost."

If you think you have been a victim of investment fraud, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.