A FRAUDSTER from New Addington who targeted elderly pensioners by pretending to be a courier has been jailed.
Elliot Dini, 24, was sentenced to 12 months behind bars after a series of frauds in Bromley, Surrey and Croydon.
Dini, of Netley Close, New Addington, was arrested after Croydon police were contacted by a bank concerned one of its customers was being defrauded.
A 77-year-old man, of Courtwood Lane, Forestdale, had phoned his bank after he was contacted by phone by a fraudster claiming to be a financial advisor from the local branch of his bank.
The victim became suspicious as he didn't recognise the fake advisor's voice.
The bank, who had not contacted the elderly man, phoned police and when officers arrived at the address in Courtwood Lane, they found Dini in the man's front room.
Dini had arrived at the address, telling his victim he was a courier sent by the bank to collect his bank cards.
Officers arrested him at the scene on suspicion of fraud and carried out checks of his mobile phone, linking him to similar offences in Bromley and Caterham, Surrey.
All of Dini's victims were aged over 70 and he defrauded over £2,100 from them.
Dini was charged on July 18 with two counts of fraud by false representation, which he eventually pleaded guilty to.
Three other offences were taken into consideration on November 8 before he was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court this week.
DC Robert Jamieson, who investigated the case, said: "Dini was literally caught red-handed. Thankfully the victim contacted his bank on his mobile phone and they immediately called us as they suspected he was being targeted by fraudsters.
"We have seen a big increase in the number of these courier frauds recently, and people are still being targeted by other fraudsters.
"It is vital that the public are aware of how these conmen operate and that they never give their PIN or bank cards to anyone - whoever they claim to be."
