More than 22,000 kilograms of cheddar cheese worth R3 million were stolen in a massive fraud.

In a well-organized operation, thieves posing as a wholesale distributor for a well-known French retailer successfully tricked Neal’s Yard Dairy in London into stealing an impressive 22 tonnes of high-quality cheddar cheese, according to The Metro. The heist, which involved more than 950 batches of premium handmade cheddar cheese, sent shockwaves through the cheese industry and left the dairy and its partners facing a major financial blow.

The theft at Neal’s Yard Dairy’s warehouse in Southwark involved criminals posing as legitimate suppliers to a leading French retailer. Dairy workers, deceived by the thieves’ action, handed over the valuable shipment, believing that this was a normal transaction. It was only after they ran out of cheese that the dairy realized they had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam.

The Metropolitan Police, who are investigating the incident, said: “On Monday 21 October we received a report that a significant quantity of cheese had been stolen from a producer in Southwark. Investigations are continuing to determine the details of the incident.” However, authorities have not yet made any arrests regarding the theft.

Despite the significant loss, Neal’s Yard Dairy has pledged to support small-scale cheese producers affected by the theft (Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork). These artisans, known for their premium handmade cheddar cheese, will not face financial consequences because of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s commitment to cover costs associated with the theft.

This assistance underlines the dairy’s commitment to its producers during this extraordinary event. With losses estimated at around £300,000 (over R3 million), the stolen cheese makes up a significant portion of Neal’s Yard’s cheddar stock, affecting both the company and its artisan partners.

Famous chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver shared his shock about the theft on Instagram, helping to raise awareness about the incident on social media. “In a shocking turn of events, Neal’s Yard Dairy became the target of a daring robbery of epic proportions,” he said, emphasizing the significant value of the stolen cheddar.

As investigations progress, the incident has created disruption in the cheese community, which is hoped will lead to increased awareness of supply chain security.