A man who posed as a gold bullion courier to dupe an elderly North Yorkshire couple out of £450,000 has been jailed for eight years. Keith Lillywhite, from Richmond, said he was delivering the precious metal from Dubai to the UK when he called at the couple’s home near Darlington in March last year.
A FRAUDSTER who conned two elderly residents out of £450,000 in a gold bullion courier scam has been jailed.
A fraudster who conned two elderly residents out of £450,000 in a gold bullion courier scam has been jailed.
The scam saw the fraudster, who posed as a courier, deliver a box of gold bullion to the couple’s home in North Yorkshire.
He then convinced them to hand over cash in exchange for the gold, before making off with the money.
The couple, who are in their 80s, were left devastated by the scam and have been unable to recover any of their losses.
The fraudster has now been jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to two counts of fraud.
This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of falling victim to scams. If you are ever approached by someone offering to deliver goods or services in exchange for cash, be sure to check their credentials and do not hand over any money until you are 100% sure that they are legitimate.
The couple’s story
An elderly couple from North Yorkshire were victims of a gold bullion courier fraud. They were defrauded out of £5,000 by a man who claimed to be a courier delivering a package of gold bullion. The couple handed over the money to the man, but he never delivered the package.
The couple, who are in their 80s, have been left deeply traumatised by the incident. They have been struggling to cope financially since the incident. The husband has been suffering from anxiety and depression, and the wife has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The couple’s story highlights the devastating effect that courier fraud can have on its victims. This type of fraud is becoming increasingly common, and it often targets vulnerable people such as the elderly or those with dementia. Courier fraudsters are very convincing and can often trick people into hand over large sums of money.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of courier fraud, it is important to report it to the police immediately.
The fraudster’s scheme
The fraudster’s scheme was simple but effective. They called an elderly couple in North Yorkshire and posed as a gold bullion courier. They said that the couple had won a competition and that they would be sending them a free sample of gold bullion.
The fraudster then asked for the couple’s bank details so that they could transfer the money for the delivery. Once they had the bank details, they transferred £2,000 from the couple’s account to their own. They then disappeared, leaving the couple out of pocket and without any gold bullion.
This type of fraud is known as a courier fraud. It is relatively easy to carry out and can be very costly for the victims. Elderly people are often targeted by this type of fraud, as they may be more trusting and less likely to suspect foul play.
If you receive a call like this, do not give out your bank details. Hang up the phone and report the call to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre.
The aftermath
The aftermath of the jailing of a gold bullion courier fraudster has been felt by an elderly North Yorkshire couple.
The couple, who are in their 80s, were targeted by the fraudster after he posed as a gold bullion courier. He promised to deliver a consignment of gold bullion to their home, but instead he stole £5,000 from them.
The couple were left shaken and traumatised by the incident. They have since spoken out about their ordeal in the hope that it will warn other people about this type of scam.
This case highlights the need for people to be aware of courier fraud and to be cautious when accepting deliveries from strangers. If you are ever unsure about a delivery, please contact the police or your local Trading Standards office for advice.
How to protect yourself from courier fraud
Courier fraud is a type of scam where criminals pose as delivery drivers or couriers in order to trick people into giving them money or valuables. This type of fraud is often targeted at elderly or vulnerable people.
There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from courier fraud:
-If you are expecting a delivery, make sure that you check the ID of the courier before letting them into your home. If you are unsure, you can always call the company they are supposedly delivering for to confirm their identity.
-Never give your bank details or personal information to someone over the phone, even if they claim to be from your bank or another organisation.
-If you are asked to pay for something in advance of receiving it, be wary as this could be a scam. Always use a trusted and reputable source when making payments.
-If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they come out of the blue.
Conclusion
A man who was part of a gang that defrauded an elderly couple out of £450,000 in gold bullion has been jailed for eight years. The court heard how the gang used a sophisticated courier fraud to convince the couple to hand over their life savings. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.