A Wokingham man conspired with others to impersonate police officers and steal more than £15,000 from elderly residents in Sussex has been sentenced.
Mohammed Saddiqee, 25, of Woodlands Avenue, acted as a courier for an organised criminal gang in 2022. The gang targeted vulnerable victims by pretending to be Metropolitan Police officers investigating counterfeit money.
On June 20, 2022, an elderly Hove couple were contacted by the gang, who claimed to be investigating counterfeit notes in the area. The victims were manipulated into withdrawing more than £6,200 in cash to support the “investigation,” which Saddiqee later collected from their home.
A further attempt to defraud them of £7,000 was unsuccessful.
The following day, the gang targeted a Brighton man in his late 80s, with the “victim communicator” posing as Detective Constable Robins.
He persuaded the man to hand over £4,200.
On June 28, 2022, Saddiqee collected £6,800 from another couple in their 80s after they were contacted by a fraudster claiming to be police officer George Romeo.
Police were already attempting to trace Saddiqee’s vehicle from the previous incidents and stopped him on June 28.
Officers discovered three envelopes containing £6,800 in his car. He was arrested and later charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
At Guildford Crown Court on October 24, Saddiqee was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a victim surcharge. Additional reparations were sought under a deprivation order.
Detective sergeant Ali Sturrock of Surrey & Sussex’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “Mohammed Saddiqee was part of an organised criminal gang that specifically targeted vulnerable people, lying to gain their trust to steal their money.
“Thankfully, the victims had the foresight to promptly report their crimes, allowing officers to swiftly locate Saddiqee before he could cause further harm.
“I would like to commend all the officers involved in this investigation for their diligent work over several years…
“Thanks to their determination and resolve, a harmful perpetrator has been brought to justice.”
