Courier fraudster who helped scam victims out of £56k to fund lavish lifestyle put behind bars
The stolen money was being spent on phones, designer clothes and expensive jewellery
A fraudster who helped scam people out of £56,000 has been jailed following a hearing yesterday (June 29) at Newcastle Crown Court.
Taiwo Lawal-Owonifari, 24, was part of criminal racket that conned a total of 14 people, including one victim from Sunderland, out of thousands of pounds between March and May 2022 as part of a courier fraud scam.
Victims were contacted via telephone by persons purporting to be from the fraud department of their bank and convinced them their accounts had been compromised.
The criminals then persuaded victims to provide their bank cards and pins to couriers who came to their home to collect them 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 officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Uint (NEROCU) and despite his attempts to evade court, later admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
Yesterday (June 29) he was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
Following the sentencing, 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 ensure 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 by calling 0300 123 2040.