Fraudster Jailed for Draining Elderly Victims’ Life Savings
Mohammed Rafiq, 34, has been locked up after duping vulnerable pensioners out of a whopping £630,000. The Motherwell man was part of a ruthless gang that scammed 33 victims across the UK, including seven in Kent, between October 2017 and June 2018.
Victims Told to Hand Over Cash to ‘Safe Accounts’
The scam was uncovered when Kent and Essex detectives were tipped off about a call made to an elderly woman in canterbury/" title="Canterbury" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Canterbury on 23 March 2018. The woman was conned by a fraudster pretending to be an investigator, who claimed criminals had hacked her bank account.
- She was urged to transfer £6,500 into a so-called ‘safe account’ without telling bank staff why.
- After heading home, she got a second call demanding another £5,600.
- The bank blocked the second transfer, triggering police involvement.
One of Rafiq’s gang even hired a taxi to take the victim to the bank, using a mobile linked to a Glasgow address. Police swooped on 6 June 2018, arresting Rafiq and a partner in crime.
Justice Served – Jail Terms Handed Out
Initially denying the charges, both men later copped to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Rafiq was sentenced to three and a half years behind bars at Maidstone Crown Court on 7 February 2020.
The second man, 37, from Glasgow, dodged immediate jail with a 14-month suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service.
Their accomplice, also from Glasgow and 39, earned a hefty six years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty the previous year.
Warning to Public: Don’t Fall for These Scams
“Mohammed Rafiq and his accomplices were relentless in their efforts to trick as many victims as possible into handing over the contents of their bank accounts,” said Detective Constable Mark Newman.
“Their crimes show a shocking lack of empathy for elderly and vulnerable people, many of whom lost their life savings.
“Remember, neither the police nor your bank will ever ask you to withdraw money or send a courier to collect cash. If you get such a call, hang up immediately and don’t share any details.”
Keep your wits about you – these crooks won’t stop until they’re caught.
