The fraudsters, who posed as wholesalers for a major French supermarket, tricked the company into sending 950 wheels of cheese, including Hafod, Westcombe, and Pitchfork cheddar. The elaborate con involved a fake contract and convincing conversations that led Neal’s Yard to believe the buyers were legitimate, The Telegraph reports.

Despite the significant financial hit, Neal’s Yard has honoured its commitment to the cheese producers and paid them in full. A spokesperson said: “While the cheese may never be recovered, our priority is to share what has happened and to prevent it from happening to other businesses.”

Police are investigating the theft, and Neal’s Yard Dairy has urged other cheesemongers to be vigilant in case they are offered the stolen goods.