FRAUDSTERS who conned vulnerable victims across the UK have been required to pay almost half a million pounds at a confiscation hearing.

The Glasgow-based serious crime group duped £1.3m from victims from across the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, Bristol Crown Court heard on Friday.

Zephyr, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, led the 24-month investigation into the fraud, which had led to more than 40 victims being conned by the offenders, who showed no concern for their victims.

The offenders preyed on their vulnerable victims, asking them to transfer large sums of money from their “compromised” bank accounts to new “safe” accounts, set up by the defendants, who posed as members of a bank or Visa security.

They would ask them to call their bank or use the number on the reverse of the bank card.

After ‘closing’ the call, the perpetrators would remain on the telephone line, effectively locking it, so that the worried victim went straight back to them confiding private information, thinking they were speaking to their bank or a bank security officer.

The offenders used multiple mobile phones and SIM cards and made hundreds of calls to potential victims. Those they conned would often empty their bank accounts into the newly set-up ‘safe’ account.

A mistake by one of the offenders provided a breakthrough for investigators, allowing them to identify that person and infiltrate the operation.

On 12 November 2014, a search warrant was executed at two addresses in Glasgow and 50 mobile phones and more than £105,000 in cash was seized. Arrests followed.

Zephyr detectives continued their investigations and in January 2015 further arrests were made as the crime group’s operation folded.

Charges followed and, confronted with overwhelming evidence downloaded from their mobile phones, the four main fraudsters admitted the offences.

Trials were held at Bristol Crown Court for a mortgage fraud and the main defendant’s mother, who denied knowing there was more than £100,000 of other people’s cash in the wardrobe in her bedroom, was found guilty in March 2016.

The court heard sums of between £1,900 and £129,000 were taken from the victims, which prompted HHJ Cotter QC to describe the group as “united by ferocious greed, enjoying the high life lived on the hard-earned money of others, causing untold misery and devastating effects on the victims.”

He jailed six offenders – aged between 21-45 years – for a total of more than 20 years.

Senior investigating officer DI Tony Hubbard said following their conviction: “This was a callous crime which targeted the vulnerable and elderly. There was no concern shown whatsoever to the victims, regardless of their age or vulnerability.

“We can’t emphasise too strongly that people will not be asked to disclose bank account details over their phone and if they are suspicious of the phone call, then they should hang up immediately, wait for five minutes before contacting the bank or ideally use a different phone,” said DI Hubbard.

At Bristol Crown Court on Friday, the offenders were required to pay a total of £492,328.98 at a confiscation hearing. All the money will go in compensation to the victims, who were not reimbursed by their banks.

Following the hearing, DI Hubbard said: “After successfully bringing offenders to trial and obtaining a successful conviction, we are committed to seizing any assets that have been gained as a result of the crime committed.

“It is not acceptable that criminals benefit from illegal activities and we will pursue them through the courts to ensure their money is taken from them. By doing this we show criminals that they will not benefit from crime and hopefully deter others from entering a life of crime,” he said.

The offenders and confiscation orders issued, plus details of original convictions and jail sentences:

Atif Mohammed, aged 25, of 13 Myrtle Park, Crosshill, Glasgow, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was jailed for six years.

Confiscation Order made 15/03/2017 (uncontested) Benefit - £1,259,222.24

Available Amount - £179,435.99 including bank accounts, the Mercedes A45, the flat in Dubai, 2 Rolexes and all the items of value from 13 Myrtle Park.

3 months to pay, 18 months in default.

Asif Ali, aged 33 of Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation was sentenced to five years and 10 months (including three months for mortgage fraud).

Confiscation Order made 15/03/2017 (uncontested) Benefit - £1,424,883.93

Available Amount - £184,970.74 including 645 Clarkston Road, Kashif ALI’s Nationwide Building Society account and a Rolex.

3 months to pay, 18 months in default.

Shabeer Ahmed, aged 26, of Garturk Street, Glasgow, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation was jailed for five years and two months (including one month for mortgage fraud).

Confiscation Order made 15/03/2017 (uncontested) Benefit - £1,424,883.93 

Available Amount - £184,970.74 including 645 Clarkston Road, Kashif ALI’s Nationwide Building Society account and a Rolex.

3 months to pay, 18 months in default.

Shakeal Ahmed, aged 21, of Garturk Street, Glasgow, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and was jailed for three years six months.

Confiscation Order made 15/03/2017 (uncontested) Benefit - £1,259,222.24

Available Amount - £134.00 2 months to pay, 1 day in default.

Shameem Ali. aged 45, of Myrtle Park, Glasgow, convicted to possession of criminal property and sentenced to two years.

Confiscation Order made Benefit – £102,244.17

Available amount - £101,359.34 including cash seized from home address.

3 months to pay, 18 months prison in default

Saif Mohammed, aged 21, of 13 Myrtle Park, Crosshill, Glasgow, admitted concealing, disguising, converting or transferring criminal property and was sentenced to 12 months.

Confiscation Order made Benefit – £156,971.38

Available amount - £17,905.29 including £3660 cash seized, bank accounts in Scotland and the United Arab Emirates.

3 months to pay, 9 months prison in default