A man has been charged following a crackdown of scam text messages.

The man from Enfield was one of eight people arrested in the early morning (May 24) as part of an investigation in fake messages - known as "smishing" - posing as the Royal Mail, that asks victims to pay to retrieve a parcel.

Arrests were made across the country, including London, Essex, Birmingham, Coventry and Colchester.

The Enfield man faces charges of fraud by false representation, possession of articles for use in fraud and money laundering.

While he will appear at Inner London Crown Court on June 21, the others have been released under investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, the head of the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), said: “The success of these operations shows how through our close collaboration with Royal Mail, the financial services sector, and mobile phone networks, we are cracking down on the criminals ruthlessly targeting the public.

“Ongoing investigations are now underway and we will continue to work together to bring those committing smishing scams to justice.”