In a major crackdown on courier fraud scams, a man has been imprisoned for stealing large amounts of money from unsuspecting elderly individuals, including an Essex pensioner. He exploited his victims by assuming the identities of police officers and bank personnel. The convicted felon tricked nine people into parting with a combined total exceeding £260,000. However, several other attempts were thwarted after intervention from the bank as well as several jewellery stores.
A Deceptive Operation Unveiled
On January 26, 2022, a cautious jeweller alerted the authorities about a series of suspicious transactions. The police arrived at the home of the alleged victim in Colchester, a woman in her 90s. Earlier in the year, a man had gotten in touch with her, introducing himself as a police officer and claiming to have apprehended an individual in possession of her bank card.
The con artist wove a complex narrative, urging the elderly woman to shield her finances by investing in gold and jewellery. He convinced her that such assets would be inaccessible to potential fraudsters. The phone call was then handed off to a supposed member of the Serious Fraud Team, who was, in reality, another accomplice in the scam.
The unsuspecting victim was instructed to purchase high-end watches worth over £90,000 over the course of two weeks. Following this, Artiom Kiseliov made several trips to her residence to gather these expensive items under the guise of ensuring their safety.
A Day of Deceit
On January 25, 2022, Kiseliov, together with an accomplice named Kishan Bhatt, chauffeured the elderly woman to Hatton Garden. They had pressured her into buying gold under the pretence of assisting a police investigation.
The jewellery store staff, however, followed protocol and requested her ID. They also asked her to return another day, allowing them time to perform necessary identification checks and secure the gold. Despite the roadblock, the fraudsters drove her to other jewellery shops and carried out additional purchases. These transactions were interrupted when the authorities were alerted, leading to their cancellation by the jewellers.
The Investigation Takes Shape
Detectives launched a full-blown investigation and identified the vehicle used by Bhatt and Kiseliov to transport their victim. Further investigation led to a phone number connected to Bhatt, who was using a pseudonym to carry out his scams.
The vehicle was located, and a petrol station receipt led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Kiseliov. Forensic results from the vehicle offered a DNA sample pointing to Bhatt, prompting an urgent search for him, as he was actively continuing his fraudulent activities, particularly in Norfolk.
Bhatt’s hideout in a hotel in Finsbury Park was discovered, leading to his arrest on May 22, 2022. A thorough examination of his digital devices revealed ample evidence of his fraudulent endeavours.
Unmasking the Fraudster
Between September 2020 and May 2022, Bhatt targeted nine victims ranging in age from 29 to 90. He posed as a bank employee, landlord, and police officer to gain their trust and then transferred large sums from their accounts. In one specific instance, between October 6, 2021, and December 2 2021, he assumed the dual roles of a police officer and bank employee to steal over £147,000.
An 87-year-old woman fell prey to his scams. Bhatt claimed to be ‘DC Alan Wallis’ from the Hammersmith Police Station’s fraud department and suggested that she verify his call by dialling the number on the back of her bank card. This is a common trick used by fraudsters who will stay on the line to cement their story further.
Regular visits and phone calls to the victim ensued, with Bhatt posing as ‘Alan’ and offering to help to secure her accounts. He accessed multiple accounts and made several large transfers. Bhatt persuaded the elderly woman to apply for a new passport in order to buy gold. Orders were dispatched to the victim’s address following online purchases from several gold bullion dealers.
The Aftermath
The unusual account activities raised alarms at HSBC, who contacted the police on November 25, 2021. The bank has subsequently refunded most of the stolen funds.
According to Detective Constable Sarah Cook from the Economic Crime department, fraud is not a victimless crime. The emotional stress caused to the victims by these types of scams can be severe, often leading to distress and devastation. The victims would have lost their life savings if not for the bank’s intervention.
Kishan Bhatt, 28, of no fixed address, received an eight-year sentence for committing nine counts of fraud by false representation. Snaresbrook Crown Court sentenced him on Tuesday, July 25, following his guilty plea on November 4, 2022. Artiom Kiseliov, 35, from Glenwood Road, Haringey, received a sentence of four-and-a-half years for one count of fraud by false representation. He pleaded guilty on March 4, 2022, at Kingston Crown Court.
