A 26-year-old man from Essex has been sentenced to 23 months imprisonment for his role in courier fraud schemes that defrauded two elderly women of £5,500.
The Offences
Hertfordshire Incident – May 2023
An 88-year-old woman from Hertfordshire fell victim to an elaborate courier fraud scheme when she received a call from someone claiming to be a police officer. The caller informed her that her granddaughter had allegedly been arrested whilst attempting to use her bank card.
The fraudster instructed the woman to dial 101 to verify his legitimacy, which she did. The operator confirmed she was speaking to a genuine officer. Over two hours, the caller extracted information about her bank details, cards, and PIN numbers, claiming her bank cards were needed to identify the person in custody.
The woman was told a courier would collect her bank cards and was given a ‘password’ for the exchange. Three bank cards were handed over in an envelope. The cards were subsequently used for £1,000 of purchases at an Apple Store, with an additional £500 withdrawn from a cash machine.
Portsmouth Incident – August 2023
An 89-year-old Portsmouth woman received a similar call from someone posing as a police officer, claiming someone had been arrested trying to use her bank card. She was directed to call 999, where a woman confirmed the caller was an officer and provided a crime reference number.
The following day, the woman received another call requesting she withdraw £3,500 from her bank, complete with a cover story should the bank question the withdrawal. After withdrawing the money, she was instructed to wear gloves and read serial numbers from some notes, which the caller claimed were counterfeit and would be collected by courier.
A password was provided for verification, and a man subsequently visited her address to collect the money.
Investigation and Sentencing
Following an extensive investigation by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, Arnaldo Katalay of Gascoigne Way, Billericay, Essex, was identified as having collected money from the Portsmouth victim and been involved in using the bank cards from the Hertfordshire incident.
Katalay was arrested in October 2023 and charged with fraud by false representation and acquiring, using, and possessing criminal property. He appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25th April, pleading guilty to the offences. On Friday 13th June, he was sentenced to 23 months’ imprisonment at Portsmouth Crown Court.
Police Advice
Officers are urging the public not to engage with such calls, as victims are typically elderly. Police are requesting anyone with elderly relatives, friends, or associates to make them aware of this scam.
Key reminders:
- Legitimate organisations never make such requests: Police officers, banks, and organisations like HMRC will never call asking you to withdraw money, purchase expensive items, or disclose personal financial information. If this occurs, hang up immediately.
- Verify police callers: If someone claims to be a police officer, ask for their ID number and force. Wait at least five minutes before calling 101 to verify – don’t use numbers they provide. Ensure the call has disconnected, as scammers often keep lines open. Genuine officers won’t mind waiting whilst you verify their identity.
- Take time to think: Step back and consider the situation. Speak to a trusted friend or relative before agreeing to anything. Fraudsters deliberately keep victims talking and isolated, often stressing they shouldn’t tell anyone about the call.
- No courier collections: Banks and police will never send couriers or taxis to collect cash, bank cards, PINs, or valuable items from your home.
- Protect vulnerable people: If you know someone who might be vulnerable to such scams, please share this advice with them.
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Reporting Fraud
If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report it by calling 101. For crimes in progress, dial 999.
Further information about protecting yourself from fraud is available on the Action Fraud website (https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/) or by calling 0300 123 2040.
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