Heartless thief preyed on vulnerable elderly victims using cash machines in Sunderland city centre

Asisa Kamali, 47, loitered in Sunderland city centre and attempted to befriend vulnerable pensioners on three separate occasions in January and February this year.

After earning their trust, Kamali walked the elderly victims to an ATM machine and distracted them as they inputted their pin number – before secretly pocketing their bank card.

On January 6, she targeted an 83-year-old man in Market Square and used his card to withdraw £800 in four separate transactions.

She befriended a 93-year-old pensioner in the same location on January 18 and accompanied her to a cash point.

The victim believed her card had been swallowed by the machine but Kamali had stolen it – and withdrew £300 in two separate transactions.

Then on February 24, she stole a 63-year-old woman’s card in Athenaeum Street and withdrew another £300.

Kamali, of Chester Terrace North, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft at South Tyneside Magistrates Court, as well as a separate charge of burglary at the Premier Inn in Hind Street when she entered a staff office and stole £100.

She has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on June 1.

In a statement prepared for court, the 93-year-old woman - said: “This has left me feeling angry that somebody has taken advantage of my good nature and stolen my money, which I can’t replace.”

PC Steve Stringer, of Northumbria Police, said: “The brazen nature of Kamali’s criminality is absolutely deplorable – and I’m sure the public will share in our disgust that somebody would target the most vulnerable people in our society in this way.

“Her actions were cold and heartless, taking advantage of her victims’ friendliness in order to steal their hard-earned cash.

“Please make sure you and any loved ones are wary if approached by strangers who are keen to accompany you to a cash point, and make sure your personal details are kept safe.”

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