A con man who tricked elderly victims into handing over thousands of pounds by posing as both a financial adviser and a courier has been jailed for a year.

Elliot Dini, 24, of Netley Close, New Addington, called victims' claiming from their local bank branch before turning up at their houses pretending to be a courier.

He was caught out when one target - a 77-year-old man of Court Wood Lane, Forestdale - grew suspicious because he did not recognise Dini's voice and called his bank. 

The bank confirmed they had not called the customer and alerted the police, who found Dini in the victim's living room.

He had told the 77-year-old he was a courier sent by the bank to collect his bank cards.

Officers arrested Dini at the scene on suspicion of fraud.

Police found information on Dini's found linking him to similar offences in Bromley and Surrey.

He pocketed more than £2,100 in total from five scams between July 11 and July 18.

All his victims were aged over 70, with one living in Croydon, one in Caterham and three in West Wickham.

He was charged with two counts of fraud by false representation and pleaded guilty on November 8. 

Detective constable Robert Jamieson said: "Dini was literally caught red-handed.

"Thankfully the victim contacted his bank on his mobile phone and they immediately called us as they suspected he was being targeted by fraudsters."

Police have seen a surge in 'courier frauds' in recent months and warned victims could be easily duped because the fraudsters often urge them to call their bank, the police or the fraud office to check the request is genuine. 

The conman will then stay on the line and verify that the supposed initial call was genuine.

“We have seen a big increase in the number of these courier frauds recently, and people are still being targeted by other fraudsters.

"It is vital that the public are aware of how these conmen operate and that they never give their PIN or bank cards to anyone - whoever they claim to be."

Detective inspector Simon Harding, who is leading the investigations into such frauds in Croydon, said: "This fraud can be extremely convincing because the victim thinks they are really dealing with police or their bank.

"They believe that by making the phone call back, it is genuine, but in actual fact the suspects have stayed on the line the whole time.

"It is absolutely vital that people make their elderly and vulnerable family, friends and neighbours aware of this scam and that under no circumstances should they ever give their PIN or their bank cards to anybody. Banks do not recall cards in this way and neither do police.

"If you are in any doubt at all your bank card may be targeted for fraud, the best thing is to simply cut it up and inform your bank, who will despatch a new one to you."

The Metropolitan Police has produced a Little Book of Big Scams advising people on how to avoid fraud. It can be downloaded here. 

 

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