A 30-year-old man from Leicester has been jailed for three years and three months after targeting two women in their eighties in a bank impersonation scam. The victims, from High Wycombe and Oxford, lost a combined £5,222.
Man Jailed After Elderly Women Lose Over £5,000 in Bank Impersonation Fraud
A man who posed as a bank employee to trick two elderly women into handing over their bank cards and security details has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
Hamza Mohammed, 30, of Aysgarth Road, Leicester, was sentenced to three years and three months' imprisonment at Warwick Crown Court on 25 September 2026.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit fraud by false representation following an investigation by Thames Valley Police.
The offences involved two women in their eighties living in High Wycombe and Oxford, who lost a combined £5,222.
Victims tricked into handing over bank cards
In February 2025, both women received telephone calls from Mohammed, who pretended to be a member of staff from their bank.
He falsely claimed their bank accounts had been compromised and that their bank cards needed to be collected as a security precaution.
Believing their savings were at risk, the women provided sensitive information, including their card PINs.
A person posing as a courier then attended to collect their bank cards.
However, rather than protecting their accounts, the fraudsters used the cards to purchase expensive goods and withdraw cash from ATMs.
Travelled from Leicester to collect cards
Investigators established that Mohammed travelled from Leicester to High Wycombe and Oxford to collect the victims' cards.
He used the same vehicle on both occasions.
The fraudulent transactions were carried out during his return journeys to Leicester, with the spending continuing until the cards were cancelled.
Mohammed was arrested on 17 July 2025 and subsequently charged on 26 June 2026.
He admitted both conspiracy offences before being sentenced at Warwick Crown Court.
Police warn of emotional impact on victims
Detective Constable Stuart Baron, of Thames Valley Police's Central Fraud Unit, said impersonation fraud was deliberately designed to exploit elderly and vulnerable people.
He explained that offenders use fear and deception to convince victims that their money is in danger.
Speaking about the case, DC Baron said:
"In this case, two elderly women were manipulated into believing they were protecting their finances."
He warned that the consequences of such offences often extend beyond the immediate financial loss.
Victims can experience lasting emotional distress, lose confidence in managing their finances and feel unsafe in their own homes.
DC Baron said the prison sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes and demonstrated the force's commitment to pursuing those responsible for targeting vulnerable people.
Warning to families about courier fraud
Following the conviction, Thames Valley Police is encouraging people to speak to elderly relatives, friends and neighbours about bank impersonation scams.
Officers have issued several important reminders:
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Banks and police officers will never arrange for a courier to collect bank cards.
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Banks will never request a PIN or full security details over the telephone.
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Anyone receiving a suspicious call should hang up and contact their bank using a trusted telephone number, preferably from a different phone.
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People who are unsure about a request should speak to a trusted relative or friend before taking action.
Police say fraudsters frequently target older people through landline telephones, using convincing stories to pressure victims into acting quickly.
They believe a simple conversation with an elderly relative or neighbour could help prevent similar crimes.
How to report fraud
Anyone who believes they have been targeted by an impersonation scam can contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk.
Source: Thames Valley Police, published 16 October 2026.
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