Men sentenced after they impersonated police officers in Thames Valley
They scammed 17 victims aged between 69 and 87
Two men have been sentenced after being convicted of fraud offences across the Thames Valley and London.
25 year old Mohammed Islam , of Wroxhall Road, Dagenham, was sentenced to one year and nine months, at Reading Crown Court, after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
His offending breached a suspended sentence, a sentence of ten months’ imprisonment for attempted theft, and a five months’ imprisonment sentence for dangerous driving, were activated.
In total Islam’s sentence will be three years.
After a six day trial, 25 year old Mahbub Hussain, of Buckle Street, London, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, after he was convicted by jury of conspiracy to commit fraud.
17 victims aged between 69 and 87
Islam and Hussain conspired to defraud elderly victims out of thousands of pounds. Throughout May 2024, they targeted victims in Pangbourne, Reading, Thame, Oxford, Wallingford, Wokingham and Naphill. They also targeted victims in Hereford, Leicestershire and West Sussex.
They contacted their victims via their landlines and posed as two fictional police officers Sergeant Anthony Matthews and PC Gary Lambert.
They would call and victims and ask them to hang up and call 999. However, the defendants would leave the line open and the victims would then believe they were dialling 999 and speaking to another police officer.
The men then spent hours convincing the vulnerable victims to withdraw cash and hand it over to them under the pretence it would help expose fraud within financial institutions, and other fictional covert operations they claimed to be working on.
Between 9 May and 21 May 2024, the suspects spent 60 hours on the phone to victims, with one victim kept on the phone for eight hours.
Seventeen victims, were targeted in total who were aged 69 and 87 years of age, with a total of ÂŁ87,000 being requested from them. Fortunately police intervention meant only ÂŁ9000 was actually received by the criminals.
Officer in the case, Detective Constable Patrycja Lesiakowska said: “The defendants in this case showed a disregard for the wellbeing of the victims, targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“Their elaborate scheme to impersonate police officers and deceive victims into handing over money was both cruel and calculated.
“This conviction highlights our commitment to bringing such criminals to justice and protecting victims from fraud.
Lead Investigating officer Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn said, “Courier fraud is a type of fraud where criminals deceive victims into handing over money, valuables, or sensitive information by posing as authorities or trusted individuals. In courier fraud, the deception typically unfolds in several stages, often targeting vulnerable or elderly individuals.
“Courier fraud preys on the victim’s trust, vulnerability, and fear of authority, making it a particularly insidious form of deception.
“The two defendants were convicted of these offences following an investigation and the guilty pleas entered are testament to the thorough investigation by the High Harm Fraud Team. We will continue to pursue those who offend against vulnerable victims as a priority.
“The sentence reflects how serious these offences are viewed and should send a clear message to those engaging in this criminal activity.
“We hope this serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering similar crimes. We want to remind the public that neither the police nor your bank will ever ask you for money or request that you withdraw cash as part of an investigation.
“To protect yourself from being a victim of courier fraud, individuals should exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or requests for sensitive information."