Fraudster jailed for £187,000 scam targeting pensioners
Mohammed Hassan Farooq sentenced to four-and-a-half years for role in organised crime network.
Incident → evidence → outcomeMohammed Hassan Farooq has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud offences at Inner London Crown Court on October 22. The 22-year-old was part of a Leicester-based organised crime network responsible for defrauding victims of more than £187,000 between November 2024 and July 2025.
The network employed sophisticated tactics, sending fraudulent text messages impersonating organisations such as the DVLA and TV licensing. These messages contained links that prompted victims to enter their banking details. Subsequently, individuals posing as bank staff would contact victims via phone or video calls, persuading them to reveal one-time passcodes or download payment processing applications.
One victim, an 80-year-old from east London, was contacted by someone claiming to be from their bank who alerted them to supposed irregular transactions. The victim was then instructed to transfer money between their own accounts and to download an app to facilitate further transfers. Although this pensioner was fully reimbursed by their bank, the wider operation caused significant financial harm.
Scale of the Fraud
Investigators found that Farooq had played a significant role, purchasing nearly 12,000 sets of stolen personal and financial data from criminal vendors operating online. This data was then used to facilitate further fraudulent activities. Banking systems identified at least 164 fraudulent transactions, with total losses exceeding £187,000. An additional £300,000 in attempted losses was prevented by banking systems.
Farooq's associate, Deva Raval, also 22, received a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty. Raval worked closely with Farooq, contacting victims while posing as bank officials to authorise payments or transfers.
Arrest and Investigation
Farooq was arrested by officers from the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) during an operation at a rental property in Bedworth, Warwickshire. An examination of a mobile phone uncovered further evidence of the pair's criminal activities.
“This case highlights the scale and sophistication of modern fraud, and the lengths criminals will go to in order to exploit innocent people. Farooq and Raval were key figures in a coordinated operation that caused significant financial loss totalling £187,000 across a short eight-month period.”
The DCPCU stated that the operation demonstrated the advanced methods employed by criminals to exploit vulnerable individuals, leading to substantial financial losses over a condensed timeframe.
Questions this report answers
01How much money was lost due to the fraud operation?
The fraud operation caused more than £187,000 in financial losses. Banking systems identified at least 164 fraudulent transactions linked to the scheme. An additional £300,000 in attempted losses was detected and stopped by banking systems.
02Who was targeted by the fraudsters?
The organised crime network targeted elderly and vulnerable bank customers. An 80-year-old pensioner from east London was among those scammed. Victims were tricked into revealing banking details and authorising transfers through fake text messages and calls.
03What was the sentence given to Mohammed Hassan Farooq?
Mohammed Hassan Farooq, aged 22, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. He pleaded guilty to his role in the fraud operation at Inner London Crown Court.
Support is available without a police report
Find London services, specialist support and the rights set out in the Victims’ Code. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Find victim supportSend a correction or case update
If a hearing, charge or outcome has changed, send the court, case number and source document so we can update the record.
Contact the desk
