A court sentenced three men to more than 12 years in prison for orchestrating a courier fraud scam that stole over £416,000 in cash and jewellery from vulnerable victims. The gang, operating out of Reading, targeted elderly individuals across multiple counties between February and September 2021.
The fraudsters attempted to scam at least 42 victims, with an average age of 78. Their oldest target was 90, while the youngest was 57. A total of 27 people fell for the scam, losing £116,000 in cash and jewellery valued at a minimum of £300,000. Victims were located across Hampshire, London, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex.
Elderly Victims Deceived
At Winchester Crown Court, prosecutors revealed that the group, led by Faris Kayani, used familiar tactics to deceive their victims. They operated from Reading town centre, using multiple mobile phones to impersonate police officers.
Scammers falsely told victims that fraudsters had targeted them or that authorities were investigating their local bank. To add credibility, the scammers instructed victims to call 999 to verify the officer’s identity. However, the gang deliberately kept the phone line open, making the victim believe they were speaking to a legitimate authority.
Victims were then asked to help the “investigation” by withdrawing large sums of cash. Some were even persuaded that their valuables, including jewellery stored in safety deposit boxes, were at risk and needed to be collected for safekeeping. The scammers then sent “couriers” to the victims’ homes to retrieve the money and valuables.
Sentences Handed Down
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Economic Crime Investigation Team led a major inquiry into the gang. Officers arrested six people involved in the scam. Three men received prison sentences, while three women were convicted of money laundering.
At Salisbury Crown Court, the following sentences were issued:
- Faris Kayani, 30, from Reading, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
- Saqib Mahmood, 28, from Reading, pleaded guilty to the same charge and received three years and seven months.
- Luc Williams, 24, also from Reading, was sentenced to three years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
- Leonnie Charles, 22, from Reading, pleaded guilty to fraud and is awaiting sentencing.
- Sasha Weeks, 23, was convicted of money laundering. She received a suspended nine-month sentence and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
- Victoria Mooney, 34, was also convicted of money laundering and received a suspended 10-month sentence.
Victims Speak Out
One of the victims, an 85-year-old woman from Church Crookham, lost £4,200. Fortunately, one of her banks refunded £3,200. However, the emotional impact of the scam was devastating. “I felt completely paralysed once I realised it was a scam. Pretending to be a police officer to trick vulnerable people is despicable. I lost sleep for weeks, and I no longer trust people the way I used to,” she said.
Fraudsters scammed a 75-year-old woman from Alton out of £8,850, but she later received reimbursement. She described the experience as deeply traumatic. “I kept thinking about how my money might be funding crime. I understand people need to earn a living, but how can they justify targeting innocent people?”
Police Warning The Public
Detective Constable Michael Dumbleton from the Economic Crime Investigation Team commended the victims for their patience and resilience and urged the public to stay vigilant against similar scams. “This was a ruthless and calculated scam by an organised crime group that preyed on elderly people. Many victims suffered significant financial losses and emotional distress,” he stated.
The detective urged families to educate elderly relatives about fraud, as such scams often cause financial devastation and lasting psychological harm. Courier fraud remains a significant threat, particularly for elderly and vulnerable individuals. Raising fraud awareness can help prevent future scams and protect more people from financial loss and emotional distress.
Protect Yourself from Fraud
Authorities have issued urgent fraud awareness advice to prevent further incidents. Key reminders include:
- Banks and police will never ask for your bank card, PIN, or cash.
- Never hand over money or valuables to anyone claiming to be from the police.
- Hang up if someone asks you to withdraw or transfer money for “investigative purposes.”
- If you receive a suspicious call, use a different phone or wait at least five minutes before calling the police.
The police remain committed to tackling courier fraud, and investigators continue to work to identify other fraudsters involved in similar schemes. If a fraudster has targeted you or someone you know, report it immediately to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or contact the police on 101.
Hang Up If It Feels Suspicious
If more people understood that banks and police never ask for bank cards, PINs, jewellery, or cash, they could prevent countless fraud cases. A simple awareness of this fact could stop criminals in their tracks. If an unexpected caller claims to be from the bank or police and asks for money or personal details, it is a scam—every time. No genuine authority will ever send a courier to collect cash or valuables.
Victims of courier fraud often lose not just their savings but their confidence and trust in others. Many suffer lasting emotional distress, struggling to come to terms with the deception. Raising fraud awareness is the most effective way to protect people from such devastating crimes. By spreading this crucial message—banks and police will never ask for money or personal details in this way—we can help prevent scams before they happen. Fraud thrives on ignorance, but education is its greatest enemy.
