Jailed: London Trio's 'Cruel' Police Impersonation Scam

A callous criminal network, which included two men from North London and one from Luton, has been jailed for impersonating police officers to steal over £51,000 from vulnerable pensioners and individuals across the UK. The trio, whose scam targeted victims in Essex, Hertfordshire, and Kent, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on August 28, following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.

Ahsan Naseer, 32, a British national residing in Cricklewood, London; Ismail Sarwar, 27, of Pakistani descent from Harlesden, London; and Hamza Ali, 30, a British national from Luton, were each sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation. Sarwar also received a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO). During the sentencing, His Honour Judge Sheridan condemned the men's actions as "cruel and despicable," noting their complete lack of regard for their victims.

The meticulously planned operation, which ran between April and July, involved a cold-calling campaign where the men posed as detectives from a fake "fraud squad." They would contact victims on their landlines, claiming to be investigating fraudulent bank activity and convincing them that their savings were at risk. To "assist" with a sham undercover operation, the victims were then coerced into withdrawing large sums of cash, or purchasing foreign currency or expensive jewellery. A courier—another member of the criminal network—would then collect the items, and all contact would be cut off.

In addition to the £51,000 successfully stolen, investigators discovered that the group had also attempted to defraud victims of another £30,000. All three men had prior convictions for similar offenses, indicating a pattern of preying on the most trusting members of society.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Shurmer from ERSOU's Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) highlighted the devastating impact of this type of "courier fraud." "The impact this type of criminality has on victims cannot be overstated," she stated. "Some of society’s most trusting individuals have been brazenly taken advantage of, and I only hope that seeing the offenders being jailed provides some closure."

Investigators are now working to strip the men of all proceeds of their crimes. Authorities continue to issue a strong warning to the public, urging them to be vigilant against such scams. Police officers or bank employees will never ask individuals to withdraw cash, purchase valuables, or disclose personal financial information over the phone. Anyone who receives such a call is advised to hang up immediately and report it to the police via 101. It is crucial to allow a significant amount of time for the phone line to clear before making a new call, as fraudsters often keep the line open to impersonate a legitimate authority.

While all three men are British citizens, Sarwar's ancestry can be traced back to Pakistan. This detail, combined with their previous criminal records for similar offenses, paints a picture of a sophisticated and repeat criminal enterprise preying on the elderly and vulnerable.