More than 2,000 BT customers had £358,000 stolen by Portsmouth fraud gang

The eight-strong gang based in Portsmouth bought Rolex and Breitling watches, Versace clothes, jewellery and televisions with PayPal or bank details from the phone firm's customers.

Hampshire police said the gang used fake call and email diversions after 'obtaining the identities' of the victims.

Police said the 'full extent of the fraud is expected to be much higher'.

The accounts were infiltrated between May 2014 and June 2016, police added.

Goods were delivered to Portsmouth and Havant.

Now eight people face being sentenced after pleading guilty to various offences.

Festus Emosivwe, 36, of Newcome Road in Fratton and Chloe Maylott, 27, of Purbrook Way, Leigh Park, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation on December 6.

Charles Onwu, 31, of Wells Close, Milton, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation on the second day of a trial on January 16.

Victor Ngo, 30, of Lowestoft Road, Wymering, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to convert criminal property on the second day of the trial.

Penelope Chatzikonstantinou, 30, formerly of Highlands Road, Southsea, admitted conspiracy to convert criminal property on January 20.

Adel Qadir, 35, of Woofferton Road, Paulsgrove, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation on January 17.

Molade Fasuyi, 37, of Methuen Road, Eastney, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation on January 15.

Olukayode Adepoju, 40 , of London Road, North End, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation during the trial on January 17.

The gang will be sentenced on February 17.