Taiwo Lawal-Owonifari, 24, has been jailed for two years and nine months at Newcastle Crown Court after scamming 14 victims out of a total of £56,000. The fraudster committed the crimes between March and May 2022 by pretending to be from his victims' bank fraud department.
How the scam worked
Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) identified a series of courier frauds perpetrated by Lawal-Owonifari that spanned across the country, impacting over a dozen people, including one from Sunderland. The victims were contacted by phone and told they were speaking to someone from their bank's fraud department, convincing them that their accounts had been compromised. The fraudster persuaded victims to provide bank cards and pins to couriers who came to their homes to collect, under the guise of 'supporting the investigation' and 'stopping the fraud'.
Spending spree and arrest
In total, £56,000 was scammed and then quickly spent on phones, designer clothes, and expensive jewellery. Lawal-Owonifari, of Brockhill Crescent in London, was arrested despite attempts to evade court and later admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
Police comments
NEROCU Detective Constable Andy Thompson, in charge of the investigation, said: "Courier fraud is an incredibly complex and manipulative crime which sees criminals gaining the trust of their victims using incredibly effective and convincing tactics – leaving the victims with emotional and economic suffering."
Detective Inspector Gillian Coulson of the NEROCU added: "I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation, thanks to their hard work we have been able to secure justice for those victims and prevented further harm to others. This is just the latest sentencing under the banner of Operation Sentinel and our dedicated officers will continue dismantling illegal fraud operations and ensuring those responsible face the consequences of their actions."
Anyone with information about criminal activity is asked to report it to local police or to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Fraud can also be reported via the Report Fraud section on the website or by calling 0300 123 2040.
