Abdi Ali, 26, was sentenced to two years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Friday (March 21).
He previously pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at the same court.
It followed an incident on September 11, 2023 when a woman aged in her eighties received a phone call on her landline from a man claiming to be ‘Jason’ from the Home Office.
The man told her he worked at Canary Whard in London and said the woman’s Nationwife Building Society account had been the target of fraud.
He told her that he was there to help them and prevent further loss.
The victim trusted the man so over the next few days, she handed over her bankcard to a male courier who arrived at her address in a vehicle.
The victim also handed over her mobile phone as ‘Jason’ said there was a virus on it, which is how the fraudster took her money.
On September 13, 2023, Ali knocked on the victim’s door stating he was from the fraud team and that his name was alex.
He added that he needed the woman and her husband, aged in his nineties, to come with him to Nationwide and to bring identification.
The victim agreed and was taken by taxi to somewhere near Market Street, Maidenhead before walking to the bank.
Alsi told the victim to request £4,000 for a family holiday and to tell the staff that he was her son-in-law.
The bank staff called police after becoming concerned for the couple.
Officers arrived and checked on the victims before finding and arresting Ali on the same day.
After an investigation, Ali, of Willow Tree Close, Northolt, Ealing, was charged on May 21 last year.
Lead investigating officer Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, head of our Central Fraud Unit, said, “Courier fraudsters deceive victims into handing over money, valuables, or sensitive information by posing as authorities or trusted individuals.
“In courier fraud, the deception typically unfolds in several stages, often targeting vulnerable or elderly individuals, preying on the victim’s trust, vulnerability, and fear of authority, making it a particularly insidious form of deception.
“In this case, the victims, an elderly couple, were systematically targeted over several days and the offending was only stopped due to excellent diligence from staff at Nationwide Building Society, who alerted police to their suspicions.
“Abdi Ali was convicted following our investigation, and his guilty plea is testament to the thorough work of the High Harm Fraud Team.
“The sentence reflects how serious these offences are and should send a clear message to those engaging in this despicable criminal activity that they can expect to go to prison.
“To protect yourself from being a victim of courier fraud, exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or requests for sensitive information.
“It is essential to verify the identity of the caller by independently contacting the purported organisation using official contact information, such as the phone number listed on their website, bank cards or statements.
“Additionally, refrain from disclosing personal or financial details over the phone and remain sceptical of any requests for immediate action or secrecy.
“We will continue to pursue those who offend against vulnerable victims as a priority.”
