Over 100 cases were reported to police
A Wembley fraudster swindled more than £100k out of pensioners and vulnerable adults whilst posing as a police officer. Qays Aktar, of Grasmere Avenue, convinced eight victims, aged between 65 and 83, to hand over the cash to protect their bank accounts from ‘fraudulent activity’.
The 30-year-old set up a number of temporary call centres in holiday lets across London and Norwich as part of the cruel scam. From there, he fronted a criminal group working to find and call landline numbers thought to belong to elderly people. After cold calling the numbers, Aktar coerced them into believing an elaborate ruse about a fake investigation.
Over 100 such cases were reported across Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Dorset and Hampshire by November 2024, police say. Aktar was identified by specialist detectives from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and arrested. Officers seized multiple digital devices from properties in London, Hatfield and Norwich, and found widespread evidence he was the man in charge.
The con man was subsequently charged with eight counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and later pleaded guilty to all offences. He was jailed for five years and one month following a hearing at Norwich Crown Court yesterday (September 19).
Enquiries are ongoing to establish if any of Aktar’s assets can be used to compensate his victims. Detective Inspector Mhairi Shurmer, from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), said: “Courier fraud preys on the most vulnerable in society by exploiting their trust in the police to deceive them out of their savings.
“This type of crime has a high financial and emotional impact on victims, which is why we are committed to pursuing and apprehending those involved. A police officer or bank employee will never ask you to withdraw and hand over cash or any other currency. If you are asked to do this, hang up and contact police straight away.”
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