A MAN has been jailed for two years for his role in scams that tricked elderly and vulnerable victims to hand over more than £200,000.

Claudio Megi, 26, previously of Green Farm Hostel, Clos Tan Y Ffarm, Cardiff, has been sentenced to two years for his roles in committing nationwide telephone and courier fraud offences against the elderly and vulnerable, which formed part of Operation Hyperion.

Worcester Crown Court heard Megi played a significant role, receiving funds that had been obtained from two separate vulnerable victims of the fraud. He also failed to appear at court, in a deliberate attempt to evade justice and received an additional two months imprisonment for that offence.

The sentencing, on April 30, was further to convictions during 2019, 2020 and in early 2021 and prison sentences totalling over 35 years, along with a number of suspended sentences, have now been handed out to the 18 defendants who formed part of this case.

The fraud offences took place between April and July 2016 across the country with victims in Worcestershire, the wider West Midlands, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.

Victims ranged from 49 to 96 years old and were called on their landline telephone numbers and asked to hand over money.

The scam police describe as persuasive saw offenders purporting to be police officers investigating a fraud at a local banking branch.

Of the 50 victims targeted, 15 were persuaded to hand over money, with a total of over £200,000 being stolen.

Eight men were previously sentenced on February 11, 2019 at Worcester Crown Court to more than 21 years for their roles in the nationwide telephone and courier fraud scam.

A further two men were sentenced on June 25, 2019, to eight months for their involvement in the scam, however their sentences were later varied upon appeal.

And on December 21 and 22 last year a further man and two women were sentenced to more than six years for their roles in the money laundering elements of the conspiracy.

On the same dates two men were given suspended sentences for being involved in money laundering arrangements linked to the fraud.

On January 19 this year a further man was sentenced to six years imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy and was made subject to a serious crime prevention order for a period of five years following his release from prison. A further man then received a suspended sentence on February 2.

In addition to the sentences 11 of those convicted have so far been made subject of confiscation orders, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

This means they have to pay back the money which they gained from the crimes committed. Even if they do not have the funds or assets to pay the money back now, the order means that if they are found to have assets at any time in the future, they still have to pay back all they received from their crimes.

Any monies they repay will be directed to the victims who have suffered losses as compensation. A further four of those convicted, including Megi, still have ongoing Proceeds of Crime proceedings.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright said “The defendants in this case took large amounts of money from vulnerable people by abusing the trust those victims have in the police, posing as officers who told the victims they must co-operate with a police investigation."

"As highlighted by Judge Nicholas Cartwright during sentencing, this is the worst kind of fraud and Megi, was one of those who would receive large amounts of money obtained from victims. Without individuals like Megi, who are happy to receive proceeds of crime from vulnerable victims, these offences could not take place.

"These sentences recognise the life-changing amounts that were taken from some of these victims.

"I hope this will deter other criminals who may be involved in these despicable offences, by showing that they will be convicted and have their ill-gotten gains removed.”

Anyone who receives a suspected scam call is asked to provide no details, hang up and wait 10 minutes (to ensure the call has disconnected) before calling police on 101.

For more details visit the Action Fraud website actionfraud.police.uk.