Six fraudsters have been jailed for a combined total of more than 25 years for conning elderly victims out of over £1 million.
The gang scammed 14 vulnerable elderly victims across the country, in a Courier Fraud scam.
They would call or visit the victims’ addresses, purporting to be from their bank or the police, and tell them that they needed their card or bank details to assist with an investigation, or that the victim had been scammed, and they were there to help.
The scammers (pictured) would cold call victims from a fake call centre in Blackburn Town Centre, claiming to be from the police and bank security departments.
In one case, they told a man in his 80s that it was a ‘special project’, and he was ‘sworn to secrecy’.
For some victims, they told them that they were to expect a parcel at their house, not to open it, and a courier would pick it up.
The scammers then used the victims’ cards or funds to withdraw or transfer cash and make lavish purchases, including watches, flights, laptops and electronics, jewellery, 5* hotel stays, and exchanging money into other currencies.
With reports coming in across the country, a number of investigations were launched, and suspects identified. The suspects all had one thing in common: they were from or had significant links to Lancashire.
Lancashire opened an investigation, and all six were arrested, and later charged, and sentenced at Preston Crown Court. They were:
Giovanni Piras (37) formerly of The Evergreens, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison.
Samuel Daniels (35) formerly of Hollin Bank Court, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to five years and two months in prison.
Dean Clarke (40) formerly of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Caroline Cunliffe (48) formerly of Wardlebrook Avenue, Hyde, pleaded not guilty and was later convicted of conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Giuseppe Persico (50) of No Fixed Abode pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
Muhammed Afzal (51) formerly of Azalea Road, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty and was later convicted of conspiracy to defraud was sentenced to 25 months in prison.
DC Adam Kelsall, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Fraud Triage Team said: “These despicable people preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
“They exploited their vulnerabilities with the aim to gain their trust before stealing their life savings.
“One of the victims has died whilst our investigation was ongoing, and it saddens me that they didn’t get the chance to see these offenders brought to justice.
“I do hope that the victims can now begin to rebuild their lives, knowing that the people responsible for this crime are behind bars.
“These crimes are not and never will be tolerated in Lancashire. If you are committing fraud, we will find out who you are, we will investigate, and we will bring you to justice.”
Lancashire police have provided some key points to remember when it comes to courier fraud:
- Remember that the police, or your bank will NEVER ask you to provide full passwords over the phone, withdraw or transfer money or buy high value items to aid with an investigation.
- Do not hand over any item (including cash or bank cards) or information to anyone that attends your address – police and banking staff would never take bank cards or cash from you – contact the police on 999 in the event that someone comes to the property purporting to be sent from the police or the bank.
- If you receive an unexpected delivery or an item is sent to your address that you have not ordered and you are contacted by a stranger to arrange collection, do not hand over the item and contact the police.
- Do not agree to go into the bank, or use online banking to transfer or withdraw funds at the request of another – notify the cashier if any requests have been made of you by a third party (scammers will often tell a victim that the investigation is covert and not to disclose information)
- Make sure you verify who you are talking to and do not reveal any personal details. Clear the line, and phone us on 101 from a different phone, or wait at least two minutes to contact us, or a trusted person.
- If you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank on their genuine number to secure your finances. You can report to police on 101 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
