A ruthless conman who tricked elderly and disabled victims out of thousands of pounds in a heartless phone scam has been jailed for five years.
The fraudster, identified as 42-year-old Darren Smith, posed as a bank official and targeted vulnerable individuals, convincing them to hand over their savings under false pretences.
How the Scam Worked
Smith cold-called victims, claiming to be from their bank’s fraud department. He told them their accounts had been compromised and instructed them to transfer money to a 'secure' account—which was, in fact, controlled by him.
- Victims were pressured into acting quickly, with Smith using fear tactics to prevent them from verifying the call.
- Many of those targeted were elderly or living with disabilities, making them more susceptible to manipulation.
The Victims' Ordeal
One victim, a 78-year-old pensioner, lost £15,000 after being told her life savings were at risk. Another, a disabled man in his 60s, was conned out of £8,000.
'I felt so stupid afterwards,' the pensioner later told investigators. 'He sounded so convincing, and I was terrified of losing everything.'
Justice Served
After a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police, Smith was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fraud. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years behind bars.
Detective Inspector Sarah Collins, who led the case, warned the public: 'Always verify unexpected calls from your bank. Hang up and call back using the official number on your card.'
The judge described Smith’s actions as 'predatory and deeply cruel,' emphasising the emotional and financial devastation caused to his victims.
