Identity theft Scot caged over £1million fraud after stealing dead men's identities

A callous Scots crook who stole the identities of two dead men has been jailed over a £1million fraud.

Craig Milligan used several aliases to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards in the names of other people.

The 47-year-old used a heat gun, blank identity cards, a laminator and press machine to carry out the scheme.

His ruse fell apart when he was pulled over by police while living in Dumfries and gave officers a driving licence in the name of Daniel Pindell. 

Officers suspected the information was false and a subsequent investigation revealed the identity belonged to a man from Florida who had died in 2009. 

Further enquiries on the voters roll and electoral registers then revealed property and financial links from Mr Pindell to another man, Thomas Warren.

He was, from Limerick in Ireland and had died in Dallas in 2010. Both men had numerous bank accounts containing large sums of money. 

A police search of Milligan’s home in January 2025 found identification documents and bank cards in the name of Thomas Warren.

The documents were stashed between the floor and a bedside unit, alongside £10,000 in cash. 

During the searches ink presses, printers and laminators were also discovered, alongside various digital devices.

Further enquiries uncovered he had been running a website selling false ID documents for 11 years.

Financial experts who combed through the accounts found funds totalling £1,092,998.04 had been paid in between May 2012 and January 2025. 

Today, Thursday, February 5, 2026, he was jailed for four years for his crimes.

Sineidin Corrins, Procurator Fiscal at COPFS, said: “Craig Milligan has been brought to justice for a calculated and long-running fraud. 

“He callously stole personal and confidential information and used this to fraudulently obtain bank accounts and credit. 

“This case has involved extensive financial enquiries and underlines that no matter how complex the fraud, we will investigate it alongside partners and bring offenders to justice.” 

Milligan’s illicit scheme began to unravel when he was stopped in his car by police officers

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Allan Wells, Dumfries CID, said: “Milligan was running a sophisticated fraud business as well as concealing who he actually was for years.

"He stole the identity of two dead men for his own financial gain, without regard for the consequences.

“This investigation was complex given the scale of the fraud. Our team, alongside specialist financial investigators and partner agencies, discovered the names he’d been using were of men who had passed away.

"Then following in-depth analysis we were able to gather enough intelligence to carry out a proactive warrant, uncovering the truth behind Milligan’s operation.

“His conviction and sentencing underlines our commitment to proactive policing and investigation using all available resources, regardless of the extent and complexity of the offending.”

He will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies obtained illegally.