A financial loss of over £100,000, 29 victims targeted but now four behind bars.

Detectives from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) are continuing their efforts to tackle the serious and insidious crime known as courier fraud.

Zaki Chowdhury, 28, Muhammad Patel, 28, Raees Modan, 28, and Hamid Dahir, 27, are adjusting to prison today after a judge sentenced them to a total of over 15 years behind bars for their involvement in a fraud which targeted 29 victims back in 2018.

Between June and November 2018, the four men contacted vulnerable and often elderly victims by telephone claiming to be police officers and that they had a relative of the victims in custody.

The victims, from across the UK, were then told the relative had been in possession of fraudulent bank cards and that the money from their own bank account had been compromised.

They were then persuaded to go to their bank and withdraw large sums of cash for testing, which would then be collected from their home address by a police courier.

Those targeted suffered a total financial loss of over £100,000 with the emotional impact being just as damaging.

A police operation was quickly launched and NEROCU officers were able to identify a vehicle travelling in London that they believed to be involved. With the assistance of officers in London they were able to stop the vehicle and Patel and Modan soon found themselves arrested.

Further enquiries and intelligence gathered from their seized electronic devices ensured Chowdhury and Dahir swiftly joined them in handcuffs.

All four were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and a two-week trial started at Teesside Crown Court on January 30, 2023.

At the conclusion of the analytical evidence, and after seeing the overwhelming case against them, Chowdhury, Modan and Patel changed their pleas to guilty. However, Dahir took his chances at trial but was convicted in February.

Today (Friday), the four appeared before the same court and were sentenced as follows:

Zaki Chowdhury, of Faraday Road, Welling, Kent, was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment.

Muhammad Patel, of Felbridge Road, Ilford, Redbridge, was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

Raees Modan, of Gurney Close, Barking, Essex, was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

Hamid Dahir, of Woodward Road, Dagenham, Essex, was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

NEROCU Detective Inspector Shaun Fordy, said: “Courier fraud has a significant impact on victims, both financially and psychologically, but we’re committed to apprehending those behind this abhorrent activity.

“As part of Operation Sentinel, our region wide partnership approach to tackling serious and organised crime in all its forms, you will see action like this continue.”

NEROCU Detective Sergeant Steve Barrow, said: “This was a complex investigation which culminated in the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible.

“Offenders typically target elderly or vulnerable people and purport to be from a trusted institution such as a bank or the police. They prey on people’s trust and exploit it for illicit gains.

“We urge the public to be vigilant to this type of criminality. Police officers or your bank will not contact you to withdraw money from your account.

“If you think a phone call could be a scam, hang up, wait a few minutes and call them on a number you know to be genuine, such as the one on the back of your bank card.

“Or you should speak to someone you know and trust, like a family member, and if you have concerns make sure to report it.”

For more information on courier fraud, and tips on how to spot it, visit www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk.

To report fraud, contact your local police force or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.