Forklifts worth GBP100,000 (USD190,500) have been stolen in a bold new rental scam sweeping the northeast of England.

Thieves used legitimate business names to place orders with three equipment hire firms this month and steal five forklifts, according to Newsquest Digital Media.

The first theft was on February 2, when crooks claiming to be from a firm called Stoneyvale asked Alliance Material Handling to deliver a forklift to a Darlington industrial estate. The company delivered a GBP20,000 (USD38,000) Artisan forklift, but both the machine and the business had disappeared when the company went back to collect it.

In the second incident, B&S Rentals lost two forklifts, worth GBP40,000 (USD76,180), after they were delivered to World Solutions in Albert Hill Industrial Estate, Darlington, on February 6.

Detective Constable Hannah Bell said a similar incident in Stockton on February 5 saw another firm lose two forklifts worth GBP40,000 (USD76,180) also to a company called World Solutions.

But one firm foiled a possible fourth theft when a man claiming to be from Worcester-based firm I Export tried to hire two vehicles, worth GBP40,000 (USD76,180). When the company insisted on a deposit and contract with I Export before the forklifts could be hired, the customer failed to show up to sign the paperwork.

Det Con Bell said the people involved used the names of real businesses, but were not their representatives.

"All hire companies need to be vigilant when receiving new business, verify that they are legitimate companies and ensure they have signed contracts and paid deposits before any goods are delivered," she said.