Three arrested over suspected fundraising fraud

Police say three people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud in relation to a fundraiser for footballer Jaycee Roberts

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud in relation to a fundraising drive linked to the death of a promising local footballer.

An event was held in May, Staffordshire Police said, with organisers pledging the money donated would go to the family of 25-year-old Jaycee Roberts, from Stoke-on-Trent, who died from skin cancer in March.

Following his death, a legitimate fundraising page was created by the family but a separate fundraiser, believed to have collected up to £4,200, was also created.

The family told police they had not received money from the separate event and the force said inquiries into how much money is missing are ongoing and the suspects have been released on bail.

Roberts was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer in October 2022 and died on 31 March 2025.

He was survived by his partner and three-year-old son, and was very close to his mum, dad and sister, according to police.

He was a popular member of the local community, played for Bradwell FC and had been offered a scholarship to play in California before serious injury prevented him going.

Separate fundraiser

An event for the second separate fundraiser was held on 25 May.

The event, and the separate fundraising page, were understood to have raised between £2,000 and £4,200, the force said.

The alleged fraud was reported in September, when the family told officers they had not received any money.

"We are working at pace to carry out inquiries in relation to this matter and are keen to speak to anyone who may have relevant information relating to the alleged fundraising activities," said Det Con David Stubbs.

"Since our investigation began, some funds have now been received by the family, but we are keen to try and identify how much money was raised and how much of the funds are still missing."

A 36-year-old woman, from Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

A 27-year-old man, also from Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and conspiracy to defraud, and a 36-year-old man, from Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

All three have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.