🔴 THE FAKE BANK CARD COURIER: WALSALL FRAUDSTER JAILED FOR £100k ELDERLY SCAM
A fake bank courier plot stripped eight pensioners of their life savings as a ruthless phone scam exposed the growing threat of card collection fraud targeting the vulnerable.
A Walsall fraudster who targeted elderly victims in a sustained courier scam has been jailed after admitting conspiring to defraud more than £100,000 by posing as bank and law enforcement officials.
Abdirahman Yalahow, also known as Abdi Rahman, carried out the offending by telephoning victims and falsely claiming their bank accounts had been compromised, persuading them that urgent action was required to prevent further losses.
During the calls, Yalahow tricked victims into disclosing security information before persuading them to leave their bank cards out for collection by a supposed courier, or hand over in person, under the pretence of safeguarding accounts.
The cards were then used to withdraw cash and purchase high-value goods, draining accounts of savings.
Investigators established that eight victims were defrauded of sums totalling more than £100,000 between August and December 2024.
Search warrants executed at two addresses resulted in the seizure of electronic devices, including mobile phones, which were forensically examined and linked Yalahow directly to the offending.
The 29-year-old, of Yew Tree Road, Walsall, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court where he admitted a single count of conspiracy to defraud.
He was sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Angela Warren-Smith, from the economic crime unit, said "Yalahow spent hours on the phone to victims to convince them with elaborate stories, reassure them and build their trust, resulting in them handing over their personal information and bank cards.
"He had no regard for their wellbeing and saw them merely as pots of cash to be emptied.
"We know that courier fraud is becoming an increasingly common offence, with offenders impersonating figures of authority, including police officers and bank staff, to demand money or details about bank accounts.
"I'd ask that anyone who has an elderly or vulnerable relative or friend to have a chat with them about crimes like these and make sure they're alert when they answer their phone to someone they don't know."
Police warned that courier fraud is an increasingly common tactic, with offenders impersonating police officers or bank staff to obtain cards, cash or sensitive details.
Officers reiterated that banks and the police will never request PINs by telephone, nor arrange for cards to be collected by courier, and advised members of the public to terminate unsolicited calls and contact their bank using a trusted number, such as the one on the back of their card or via the 159 service.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted is urged to report the matter immediately to their bank and to Action Fraud, while those who believe a fraudster may be en route to their address should contact emergency services without delay.
