London crook locked up for nine years after swindling elderly victims out of over £250,000 in a ruthless courier fraud scam. His accomplice narrowly escaped jail with a suspended sentence.
Fraudsters Throw London Elderly Into Financial Chaos
On Friday 28 March, Ipswich Crown Court sentenced Zayd Saheb, 25, from Somerleyton Road, London, to nine years behind bars. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, possessing fraud tools, fraud by false representation, and ketamine possession with intent to supply.
His partner-in-crime, Zakariye Mohamed, 24, from Elms Crescent, London, received a 14-month suspended sentence after admitting to fraud.
Shocking Scams Target Vulnerable Elderly
Diss, October 2023 – The Fake Police Heist
An elderly couple in Diss were duped by fraudsters pretending to be police officers. The crooks spin a sob story: a family member arrested. The terrified couple withdrew £8,000 from three accounts. The scammers then sent a fake officer to “inspect the cash” at their home. Instead, he brazenly swiped the money from the dining table and vanished.
Southwold, November 2023 – The Gold Bar Racket
An 80-something woman from Southwold was conned over two weeks into handing over her bank cards and PINs. The villains drained her accounts and pressured her into buying gold bars worth over £526,400, claiming they’d be stored safely.
The woman’s daughter smelled a rat after spotting huge transactions and tipped off police. Saheb was caught red-handed collecting another gold purchase, while Mohamed’s link to the Diss scam was uncovered via mobile phone evidence.
Police Warn Against Courier Scams
“Courier fraud is a cruel and despicable crime that predominantly targets elderly and vulnerable people. These offenders callously exploited victims for greed. We will relentlessly pursue those who scam and betray trust,” said DC Dan Steel of the Serious Crime Disruption Team.
Police remind the public: genuine officers will never:
- Ask for your bank details or PIN
- Tell you to withdraw cash or buy items
- Request handing over cash or valuables to couriers
- Demand access to your computer or personal data
- Use threatening or coercive language
Stay Sharp: How to Protect Yourself
If you get a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Wait 10 minutes before dialling back to ensure the line is disconnected. Report scams to the police at once. Never share personal or financial details without proper verification.
For help, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website.
This chilling case is a stark warning: fraudsters will stop at nothing to rob the vulnerable. Stay vigilant and don’t let them win.
