University of Leeds graduate sells £1 facemasks to help combat PPE fraud

A Yorkshire-raised entrepreneur has launched a new company to sell certified masks to UK shoppers and help reduce the risk of people falling victim to PPE fraud.
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University of Leeds graduate Laurence Nair-Price, who is originally from Barnsley, has launched OnePoundMask, a start-up designed to make face high-quality masks affordable and from a reliable source.

He said it was launched in response to rising levels of fraud linked to coronavirus, with Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cyber reporting centre, recently estimating victims have lost £4.3m to fraudulent sellers since the start of the pandemic - most related to online shopping scams such as buying PPE.

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Mr Nair-Price, 36, normally works in the hospitality industry, having founded a hotel furnishing company and digital advertising screens supplier called Able Services.

Yorkshire-raised entrepreneur Laurence Nair-Price has launched OnePoundMask.Yorkshire-raised entrepreneur Laurence Nair-Price has launched OnePoundMask.
Yorkshire-raised entrepreneur Laurence Nair-Price has launched OnePoundMask.

He said: "Coronavirus hit the hospitality industry hard, but although it’s frustrating not being able to run my business, hearing about scammers and those trying to make huge profits off the back of what is a global crisis compelled me to get involved.

“I saw a situation where I could use my network to meet the demand for face masks and offer a consistent supply at a stable price. Making sure that whoever wants to purchase one, can do so and at an affordable price.”

For more information visit https://onepoundmask.co.uk/

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