A courier fraud conman has been jailed

A complex fraud operation which saw 14 victims scammed out of a total of £56,000 between March and May 2022 has seen a man responsible jailed.

Taiwo Lawal-Owonifari, 24, is adjusting to living behind bars after he was handed a sentence yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court.

In 2022, NEROCU officers identified a Courier Fraud crime series spanning across the country and impacting 14 different victims – one of which was in the Sunderland area.

Victims had been contacted via telephone by persons purporting to be from the fraud department of their bank and convinced victims their accounts had been compromised.

The criminals then persuaded victims to provide their bank cars and pins to couriers who came to their home to collect- all to support their ‘investigation’ and to stop the fraud.

In total, £56K had been scammed and was quickly being spent on phones, designer clothes and expensive jewellery.

Lawal-Owinifari was arrested by NEROCU officers and despite his attempts to evade court, later admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and yesterday was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

NEROCU Detective Constable Andy Thompson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “Courier fraud is an incredibly complex and manipulative crime which sees criminals gaining the trust of their victims using incredibly effective and convincing tactics – leaving the victims with emotional and economic suffering.

NEROCU Detective Inspector Gillian Coulson added: “I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation, thanks to their hard work we have been able to secure justice for those victims and prevented further harm to others.

“This is just the latest sentencing under the banner of Operation Sentinel and our dedicated officers will continue dismantling illegal fraud operations and ensuring those responsible face the consequences of their actions.”

Anyone who has any information about criminal activity, can report it to their local police or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fraud can also be reported to Report Fraud through their website or 0300 123 2040.