Three men from Havering, London, have been sentenced for a courier fraud scam that duped 85 pensioners out of £130,000, leaving victims “tormented and traumatised”. David Peter Reilly, 52, Joseph Ituah, 27, and Uchechukwu Ihekwoaba, 25, impersonated bank staff over the phone before stealing bank cards and PINs at victims’ front doors, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard on Monday.
How the Scam Operated
The fraudsters would call elderly victims pretending to work for a bank, claiming a new bank card was needed. Within minutes of knocking on their doors, they would swap the pensioner’s card with one stolen from another victim. They then forced victims to hand over their PIN, saying it was needed to validate the card, before withdrawing cash at nearby ATMs. The court heard the men were part of a larger criminal group targeting vulnerable people aged 70 to 94.
Sentencing and Victim Impact
Judge Leslie Cuthbert sentenced Reilly to two years and four months, Ihekwoaba to two years and nine months, and Ituah to three years and three months. The judge said: “I urge you all to think, during your remaining time in custody, how you would have felt if it was your own elderly parent or grandparent who fell victim to this crime.” Prosecutor Ani Yehighian stated: “Whilst the conspiracy included others unknown, these three men held key and trusted positions in the execution.”
Police identified £132,149 stolen from 85 victims, with 90% of the amount repaid by banks. Judge Cuthbert noted that victims felt “anxious and unsafe in their homes” and “worry they will be targeted again”. One victim described being “tormented and traumatised by the whole incident”.
Background of the Offenders
Ituah, from Romford, had previous convictions for drug dealing and money laundering. Ihekwoaba turned to crime after struggling to find a job post-university, while Reilly became addicted to drugs. Police advise that banks never call requesting cash, personal information, or bank cards. The Metropolitan Police urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams.
