Three arrested in £1m fraud investigation at University of Greater Manchester

Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into financial crimes involving the University of Greater Manchester, including allegations of fraud, bribery and money laundering.

The Greater Manchester police (GMP) said it was “exploring evidence” of more than £1m in fraudulent activity involving 60 transactions and more than a million emails, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service’s serious economic crime unit.

The force said that it had executed warrants at two addresses in Bolton and three others in Lancashire, Humberside and West Yorkshire on Wednesday morning, and arrested two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s.

All three were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, while both men were also arrested on suspicion of fraud and one man on suspicion of bribery.

The arrests are the latest developments in the controversy surrounding the University of Greater Manchester – previously known as the University of Bolton – since a series of investigations by the Mill newspaper starting in February 2025.

The Mill reported the alleged offences took place between 2014 and 2025, with university funds being used for private purposes including the purchase of a heated dog kennel.

Rick Jackson, the GMP’s assistant chief constable for crime, intelligence and forensics, said: “This is a key development in this significant and complex investigation which is seeing our detectives conduct painstaking work. This is a lengthy operation and we are following every line of inquiry to ensure we are in a position to compile the strongest possible evidence for a potential prosecution.

“The investigation has become an even more complex picture since the allegations were first brought to our attention a year ago. We are ensuring that we have targeted phases focusing on each of the separate elements so that each strand is progressed methodically and thoroughly.

“The action today relates to one key strand of that investigation, and we are working closely with the CPS with a view to providing an initial file of evidence for their advice before the end of the year.”

Phil Brickell, the MP for Bolton West, said: “These are serious developments. Bolton needs a strong university with good governance working in the town’s best interests, which can command the confidence of my constituents, of students and of staff. I’ll continue to liaise with the university, the Office for Students and the Department for Education as the investigation continues.”

The university is a major employer in Bolton and its nearly 11,000 students bring significant economic benefits to the Greater Manchester region.

“We don’t lose sight of the fact that at the heart of this are students whose university experience has been impacted by money that should’ve been invested in their education instead allegedly being used for personal gain,” Jackson said.

The GMP confirmed it was investigating “allegations of financial irregularities” involving the university in May last year. In July, detectives from the force’s major incident team carried out searches of seven properties in Greater Manchester and in the south of England to seize evidence.

Last December, the Office for Students formally announced that it was investigating the university’s management and governance.

The University of Greater Manchester was known as the University of Bolton until the OfS approved its request for the name change in December 2025.