A woman was jailed for her role in a £1 million online fraud that made use of an intricate network of fake IDs and bogus internet adverts.

Maria Bilici, of Hunters Ride, Bricket Wood, St Albans, was sentenced to four years after being found guilty of money laundering and fraud.

The 33-year-old was part of a scam which raked in £1 million by placing fake adverts for non-existent goods on legitimate selling websites such as eBay.

The group behind the scheme utilised dozens of false passports and ID cards, including one bearing the face and name of former prime minister David Cameron.

Bilici laundered the proceeds of the fraud and, last year, began to sell her assets in the UK, including her house and a Range Rover.

She also fraudulently obtained a £25,000 loan which she sent overseas. The judge described this action as “one last roll of the dice”.

She had intended to leave the country for good but was arrested on 5 July 2017, before the sale of the house went through.

Detective constable Chris Collins, from the Met’s response to fraud and linked crime online (FALCON), said he was pleased with the sentencing.

“Members of an organised criminal network that ran a sophisticated scam defrauding hundreds of victims have been imprisoned for a significant period,” he said.

“I would advise anyone shopping online to pay within the official payment mechanism in use by the website. Do not transfer money directly to a bank account – you will not be protected.”

The operation was headed up by Dragoz Dragomir, 34, previously of Southmead Crescent, Cheshunt, who was sentenced to seven years and six months imprisonment.

He was aided by Mihai Cirstoiu, 37, of Ray Lodge Road, Woodford. Cirstoiu was given six years after being he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to money launder and money laundering.

The scam’s ‘foot soldiers’, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to money launder and possession of false ID documents, were both sentenced to two years and six months in jail.

They were George Cerneanu, 25, of no fixed abode and Georgian Alexandru Stanciu, 27, of Onslow Gardens, Woodford.