Slain London Man Was International Fraudster Jailed in New Zealand

A murder investigation is underway in London after 28-year-old Reece Salmon was found with stab wounds outside a £1.55 million home on Lloyd Baker Street, Clerkenwell, on September 16. He died in hospital the following day. Detectives are still searching for the killer.

Salmon had a criminal past, having been jailed in Britain for a series of gang robberies across London. He later moved to New Zealand, where he was convicted for his role in an elaborate fraud scheme targeting pensioners. He had been back in the UK for only seven months before his death.

In 2019, Salmon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery in several London boroughs and was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. After serving his sentence, he relocated to New Zealand.

There, he became involved with a UK-based criminal organization, working as a 'courier' in an international fraud campaign that targeted elderly individuals aged between 69 and 95. The fraudsters posed as police officers, convincing victims to withdraw large sums of cash or purchase gold bullion, which Salmon would then collect. In one instance, a widow reported losing $171,000 in gold and $20,000 in cash over four visits.

Salmon was arrested in New Zealand when police intercepted him as he arrived to collect $170,000 in gold bullion from a victim. He pleaded guilty to 15 counts of obtaining cash and gold by deception and two counts of attempting to obtain by deception. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with the sentence reduced due to his guilty plea and consideration for his partner and daughter. He was granted parole in February of this year and deported back to Britain.

Lloyd Baker Street, where the incident occurred, is an affluent neighborhood where homes are valued up to £2.25 million. Residents expressed shock and described the area as typically peaceful and safe. Police have been seen forensic teams and interviewing neighbors as they continue their investigation into Salmon's death. A memorial with flowers and candles has been placed near the scene.