A woman from Tameside has been sentenced alongside three other fraudsters after police dismantled a 'courier fraud' network that targeted victims across the UK, with losses exceeding £250,000.
The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) said the gang impersonated police or bank officials to trick victims into handing over cash, bank cards, PINs, or valuables to a courier who visited their homes.
Elderly man targeted in bank scam
Police said a report was received last August that an elderly man had been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from his bank. They told him there had been fraudulent activity involving his bank account and that a courier would attend his home to collect his bank cards, PIN number, and phone.
The scammers then used the cards to make 'large cash withdrawals and purchases'.
Investigation uncovers further victims
During the investigation, police uncovered additional victims in Newcastle, Northumberland, Cleveland, Darlington, Leeds, Colchester, Keswick, Shipley, Derbyshire, and Stoke-on-Trent, all linked to the operation. In total, more than £250,000 was taken.
Brendan Mbara, 27, Saif Hussain, 31, Nadia Simelane, 34, and Faith Moyo, 21, were arrested and charged.
Sentences handed down
In a statement, NEROCU said: "Searches of cars during the investigation resulted in the discovery of thousands of pounds worth of Apple products and high value items from Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Additionally, police uncovered multiple mobile phones and bank cards in the names of others."
All four pleaded guilty to the charges they faced and were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.
Nadia Simelane, of Trafalgar Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. She was jailed for two years, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Saif Hussain, of Gilpin View, Leeds, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to four years and three months. Brendan Mbara, of Middleton Little Road, Allerton Bywater, Castleford, admitted conspiracy to defraud and money laundering and was jailed for three years and 10 months. Faith Moyo, of Gamblehill Drive, Bramley, pleaded guilty to the same charges and received the same sentence as Simelane.
NEROCU Detective Constable Sophie Snowdon said: "Courier Fraud is an abhorrent crime which generally targets the elderly and most vulnerable in our communities and thankfully, this is just the latest robust action taken against criminals looking to implement and run fraud operations in our region."
