Caught red-handed: Crawley sisters nabbed for £80k Gatwick perfume heist
Perfume plunderers jailed
Two Crawley sisters, Georgina Epitropou, 42, and Laura Epitropou, 45, have been locked up for two-and-a-half years each after a brazen 10-month theft spree at London Gatwick Airport. Between November 2021 and September 2022, they targeted duty-free stores, making off with high-value perfumes and cosmetics worth around £80,000. The pair booked multiple internal UK flights to access secure duty-free zones.
Inside the scam
Their sneaky tactic? One sister distracted shop staff while the other stuffed a suitcase full of stolen goods. CCTV caught their every move. Police later arrested them as they tried to board a flight from Gatwick to Belfast—loaded with loot.
Investigators revealed the duo pulled off 22 internal flights during their crime spree. At Lewes Crown Court on September 24, both admitted conspiracy to steal, with Laura also guilty of acquiring criminal property.
Justice served
“The Epitropou sisters targeted high-value products for their own financial greed. We worked closely with airport staff to build a strong case and ensure that justice was served,”
– PC Michelle Robinson, Gatwick CID
“Despite claiming they were in debt, it was clear the sisters were funding lavish lifestyles, including cosmetic surgery, by selling stolen goods through online marketplaces.”
– Daniel Cummins, Crown Prosecution Service
The two sisters’ slick operation is a stark warning: crime doesn’t pay, no matter how many flights you take.
