The shocking rise of a new scam – and the chilling tricks to watch out for: Special Investigation by ANDREW PENMAN

On March 13th, a flight arriving at Heathrow Airport from the United States was held upon landing, as the pilot requested passengers to remain seated pending further instructions. This unusual measure became clear once the aircraft reached its designated gate and the doors were opened.

Dramatic Airport Arrest Exposes Insidious Courier Fraud Scam

Uniformed police officers, some armed, boarded the plane and proceeded towards a man seated wearing a blue hoodie, blue shorts, and a white baseball cap. The officers informed the passenger that he was under arrest in connection with suspected courier fraud, a deceitful scheme.

Understanding Courier Fraud: A Deceptive Tactic

Courier fraud is identified as an increasingly prevalent and damaging scam. In this con, perpetrators impersonate law enforcement personnel to deceive victims into withdrawing their savings. The fraudsters convince individuals to take out cash from their bank accounts and hand it over to an individual posing as an official courier for “safe keeping.”

Police Action and Suspect’s Demeanor

Detective Sergeant Marc Cananur of the City of London Police explained the operation: “We boarded the aircraft to prevent the suspect from discarding his mobile phone. His reaction was one of utter shock and confusion that we had successfully identified him.”

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Following his apprehension, the suspect declined to cooperate with authorities and refused to provide his phone’s PIN. DS Cananur recounted, “To unlock the phone, I shone the screen in his face – he strongly disliked that.” This action successfully unlocked the device, potentially revealing crucial data that could lead to the suspect’s accomplices and identify further victims of this courier fraud.

Scale of the Alleged Fraud and Impact on Victims

The arrested individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, is currently being questioned concerning his involvement in the alleged theft of approximately £250,000 from 13 identified victims. This arrest represents a single operation in the ongoing battle against courier fraud, a crime that inflicts considerable harm and continues to rise. In 2020, reported losses from courier fraud amounted to £14.1 million. This figure escalated to £19.5 million in the previous year, impacting 1,720 confirmed victims. It is important to note that these figures likely underestimate the true extent of the problem, as many instances of fraud remain unreported.

Modus Operandi: How Courier Fraud Scams Unfold

The scam typically initiates with a fluent member of the criminal network making a phone call, presenting themselves as a police officer, providing a false identification number, and fabricating a scenario of “vulnerability” on the target’s bank account.

The Deceptive Call and False Reassurance

Victims are instructed to verify the call’s legitimacy by hanging up and dialing 999 or 101 to request to be connected to the purported officer. However, the criminals manipulate the call by not disconnecting their line. Consequently, when the victim attempts to contact the police, they remain connected to the fraudsters. Another member of the gang, impersonating a police switchboard operator, answers and feigns connecting the call to the original “officer.”

Fabricated Bank Transactions and Exploiting Trust

Subsequently, the fake “officer” falsely asserts that suspicious transactions have been detected on the victim’s account, often citing fabricated purchases, such as “a washing machine purchased from Argos in Birmingham.” To enhance credibility, the criminals utilize pre-obtained personal information about their targets, such as their bank name, and employ police jargon to appear authentic.

Targeting Vulnerable Individuals and Building False Rapport

Victims are frequently from older generations, less familiar with online banking, making it difficult for them to independently verify the falsehoods. Criminals commonly suggest that bank staff are complicit in the fraud, deterring victims from consulting their bank branch.

The ‘grooming’ process unfolds over days or weeks, designed to cultivate trust. The caller gradually introduces concerning details about fabricated fraudulent activity while simultaneously building a personal relationship. DS Cananur explains, “The suspect will inquire about their family, pets, garden, meals, feigning concern and empathy. Ironically, victims sometimes anticipate these calls, viewing them as a source of companionship and conversation.”

The Trap is Sprung: Demanding Cash Withdrawal

Ultimately, the scheme culminates when the “officer” declares the victim’s savings at immediate risk, urgently advising them to withdraw cash to prevent theft. They then assure the victim that a police courier will be dispatched to their residence to collect the funds for “safeguarding.” Banks have established protocols to identify and prevent fraud, typically questioning customers making substantial cash withdrawals.

Circumventing Bank Scrutiny and Monitoring Victims

To bypass bank scrutiny, the criminal gangs coach their victims on deceptive explanations. They instruct them to claim the money is intended for a significant purchase, such as an expensive watch for a grandchild. If bank staff suspect fraud and alert the authorities, the criminals aim to be informed immediately to escape apprehension and seek a new target.

Consequently, they frequently instruct the victim to keep their mobile phone active during the bank visit, ostensibly to “monitor the conversation” due to suspected corrupt staff. DS Cananur clarifies, “They call the victim on their mobile and instruct them to keep it in their pocket to eavesdrop. They emphasize it’s for the victim’s protection, while their real motive is confirming the cash withdrawal.”

Variations on the Scam: Counterfeit Currency Deception

A common variation involves criminals posing as officers investigating counterfeit currency. Victims are requested to “assist” the investigation by withdrawing a large sum for purported authenticity testing.

Complex Lies and Exploitation of Trust

The schemes can involve intricate fabrications. Fraudsters may insinuate bank personnel are colluding with corrupt local jewelers involved in importing and selling fake gold or watches to elderly individuals. DS Cananur elaborates, “The gang’s narrative is they’ve identified a bank employee’s brother working at the jewelers dealing in counterfeit goods. They instruct the victim, ‘We need you to identify these corrupt individuals by purchasing a watch, and Scotland Yard will reimburse you the next day.'” Victims use their own funds to buy the watch, which they are subsequently persuaded to hand over. Fraudsters typically prey on individuals living alone, lacking readily available support or advice. They acquire contact and personal details through both legal and illegal channels.

Data Acquisition and Exploiting Vulnerability

Legitimate businesses, such as mobility aid companies, might lawfully sell customer marketing lists. Other sensitive information, including banking details, can be procured through compromised data available on the dark web.

The Courier Collection: Sealing the Deception

Once victims have withdrawn their savings, the gang informs them that officers will collect the funds and transfer them to a secure “Police Bank Account” for protection. They may also persuade victims to surrender valuables for safekeeping in a purported “New Scotland Yard safe.” Next, they instruct the victim to read out serial numbers on the banknotes, claiming it is for counterfeit verification, while their actual aim is to confirm possession of the cash.

“Then they claim the notes are counterfeit and need to be collected as evidence. This is the justification for dispatching the courier,” explains DS Cananur. “They often claim a replacement bank card is required because the victim’s existing card has been compromised. They might request partial PIN digits initially, then feign a line interruption to obtain the remaining digits, thus acquiring the complete PIN.” A courier then arrives, provides a pre-arranged password, sometimes presents a fraudulent warrant card, and absconds with the stolen assets.

Victim Demographics and Financial Impact

According to the City of London Police, the leading authority on fraud, typical victims are Caucasian, affluent, and average 78 years of age. The average financial loss is approximately £10,000. The largest reported loss last year reached £5.3 million, suffered by a retired banking director in his 80s residing in London.

Geographic Hotspots and Case Examples

Affluent counties with convenient access to London are particularly susceptible. Camden, North London, is identified as the central hub for these criminal operations. Recent cases illustrate the severity of these crimes. Zayd Saheb, 25, from London, received a nine-year prison sentence for a courier fraud resulting in a woman in her 80s from Southwold, Suffolk, losing £247,000. She was manipulated by fraudulent “detectives” into handing over cash and purchasing gold bullion, a growing trend in these scams. Although the funds were not recovered, her bank reimbursed her losses.

DC Dan Steel of Suffolk Police described courier fraud as “a cruel and despicable crime and a growing national problem, predominantly targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals.” In March, cases in Northampton involved victims losing £5,000, £10,000, and £20,000. Bedfordshire Police documented two cases with losses of £13,000 and £48,000 respectively. Faris Kayani, from Reading, admitted to conspiracy to commit fraud at Winchester Crown Court and was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment. Mohammed Shahid, 37, from London, received almost four years in jail for defrauding an 80-year-old man from Rugby of £3,000 and was arrested attempting a second theft.

In Scotland, three courier fraudsters who stole over £2 million from an 86-year-old victim were imprisoned.

Bank Reimbursement Policies and Long-Term Harm

Bank industry regulations implemented last October mandate refunds up to £85,000 in most instances of impersonation scams. However, these regulations are limited to customers tricked into making bank transfers to fraudsters. A spokesperson for the Payment System Regulator clarified, “The rules do not extend to individuals who physically withdraw cash and hand it over, though banks retain discretion to offer reimbursements.”

Crucially, financial restitution cannot fully address the harm inflicted. DS Cananur emphasizes, “It’s not solely about the monetary loss; it’s the profound impact on a victim’s welfare and psychological well-being. These were previously self-sufficient and confident individuals. Now, every phone ring triggers anxiety and suspicion. They become distrustful, their routines are disrupted, and their health can deteriorate due to constant worry.”

The Convincing Nature of Fraudsters and Operational Challenges

DS Cananur highlighted the persuasive tactics of fraudsters with an example of a Kensington woman who, in December, surrendered gold bullion valued at £3.2 million to a courier gang. Police involvement arose following bank alerts regarding suspicious transactions. Remarkably, she was so deeply convinced by the fraudsters that she believed genuine officers were the imposters. “She was in complete denial, slamming the door in my face and refusing entry,” DS Cananur recounted.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty in combating this crime. Criminals utilize disposable mobile phones, and gang members involved in phone top-ups at newsagents conceal their identities with Covid masks and hoodies, using cash transactions. Couriers also employ face masks, falsely citing protection for elderly victims as the rationale.

Unlike electronic transfers, cash and gold transactions leave no digital audit trail. Those apprehended and prosecuted are typically lower-level operatives – the couriers. Their appearances often belie their involvement in organized crime, as they occupy the lowest rung of the gang hierarchy. DS Cananur describes them as “the lowest of the low, sacrificial lambs.”

When questioned about remorse, DS Cananur stated, “Zero. In interview situations, these individuals exhibit no regret, no inclination to identify accomplices, and no empathy for victims.” These low-ranking gang members display few obvious signs of wealth. The majority of the illicit proceeds are channeled higher within the criminal structure. And the ultimate destination of these funds? “Drugs supply, firearms, and terrorism,” DS Cananur concludes.