A Lurgan man is among six people sentenced for their roles in a gang which posed as police officers to prey on older victims in a major fraud worth more than £200,000.
Shea Reynolds, 31, of Alexander Crescent in Lurgan, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today (Monday) to six months’ imprisonment for possessing criminal property.
He was one of six men sentenced in connection with a conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, money laundering and possessing criminal property, after around £190,000 in cash and £15,000 worth of jewellery was taken from victims across Belfast, Antrim and Down.
The men targeted mainly older members of the community in offences carried out between January 2020 and May 2021.
Those sentenced were:
– Ray Lee, 33, Belfast – 5 years’ imprisonment
– Elijah Lee, 61, Belfast – 28 months’ imprisonment
– Mark Paul Millar, 52, of no fixed abode – 20 months’ imprisonment
– John Joseph Delaney, 49, Belfast – six months’ imprisonment and six months on licence
– William McGinley, 37, Irvinestown – six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years
– Shea Reynolds, 31, Alexander Crescent, Lurgan – six months’ imprisonment for Possessing Criminal Property
Police said the gang contacted members of the public and posed as police officers in order to extort money and valuables, convincing victims they were at risk of crime and needed to hand over cash, bank details or jewellery for “safekeeping”.
Detective Chief Inspector Uel Boyd described the defendants as “devious scammers” who “predominately exploited older members of our community”.
He said: “It’s difficult to imagine how anyone could carry out this type of crime without a care for the fear and worry they caused these older people, not to mention the impact of the loss of their savings and valuables.
“Their victims were people who have worked, saved hard and contributed to society all their lives, only to be targeted by these criminals – people whose actions stand in stark contrast to those admirable values.”
DCI Boyd said the investigation was “complex” and that detectives worked “extremely hard over a prolonged period of time to ensure that these individuals were held to account for their wicked actions”.
He warned: “Anyone who seeks to engage in this type of criminality should be aware – the Police Service will use every available resource to pursue a criminal justice outcome and, more importantly, to protect individuals and communities from harm and exploitation.”
Police have urged the public – and particularly families of older people – to be on their guard against similar scams.
DCI Boyd added: “Fraudsters such as those sentenced today can be extremely convincing and use a variety of scenarios to make their victims believe they are genuine. They are master manipulators.
“Your Police Service will never ring you asking for money, bank details or any valuable item. If this happens to you, or someone you know, end the call immediately and call us on 101. Never provide any personal details to the caller.”
Anyone who believes they have been targeted is asked to contact police on 101 or report to Action Fraud via www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
