Fraudster Abdul Ha-Meem Jailed for Preying on Elderly Women
Abdul Ha-Meem, once of Clare Gardens, Barking, has been locked up for over three years after conning two elderly women out of nearly £8,000 in a brutal scam. The fraud unfolded in June 2021 when the victims received a chilling phone call from someone impersonating a detective from the Metropolitan Police fraud squad.
Cold Call Con: Fake Police Raid and Bank Corruption
The caller spun a wild tale about a raid in Corby that morning, claiming £180,000 of fake notes had been seized. He then claimed they needed the women’s help with a secret investigation into corruption at local banks.
Convinced, the women withdrew almost £8,000. Half was collected the following day by a courier arranged by the scammers. The next day, Ha-Meem showed up in person with a password—cruelly the name of one woman’s late husband—to pick up more cash.
Ensnared But Not Defeated: Police Step In
Luckily, suspicion set in. One woman called the Metropolitan Police to verify the officer’s name and quickly realised she’d been duped. Northamptonshire Police were alerted and swung into action.
When Ha-Meem returned to collect the second payment, he was met by officers from Northamptonshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit. He tried to flee but was caught and arrested on the spot.
Justice Served: Prison Sentence and Police Warning
At Northampton Crown Court on March 25, Ha-Meem was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars.
“These scammers have no morals or ethics – they will cheat and lie to steal as much as possible, leaving elderly victims in financial hardship,” said Detective Sergeant Simon Seed, lead investigator.
“Using a victim’s late husband’s name as the password shows just how callous they are. Ha-Meem should be utterly ashamed of himself.”
“Remember, no genuine police officer, bank, or trusted organisation will ever ask you to withdraw cash, move money, or send someone to collect it. If you get a suspicious call, hang up and report it immediately.”
Judge Lucking praised the swift police response, noting, “The officers acted very quickly and were ready and waiting when the fraudsters made contact again.”
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Courier Fraud
- No police officer will ever ask you to withdraw money for an investigation—never trust such requests.
- Don’t share personal or financial details on unexpected calls.
- If unsure who’s calling, hang up and call back the organisation on a number you know is genuine.
- Report suspicious calls to Northamptonshire Police by calling 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/ro.
