Fake police conman jailed for defrauding elderly
A man who pretended to be a policeman to con elderly people out of their money has been jailed for four years.
Wakas Ahmed, 24, of Manor Park, east London, told victims he was looking into fraud on their bank accounts and would look after their cash.
He pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in relation to 16 offences.
His crimes were committed in London, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
'Frightened to death'
The court heard that Ahmed. of Eighth Avenue, gained £49,500 from his crimes, including £28,000 from a victim in their 90s, between August 2012 and March 2013
A victim who lost more than £20,000 said in a statement: "I never had any money worries before.
"I worked for more than 40 years and saved all my money. Now I am literally frightened to death to spend any money.
"All of my confidence is gone, I do not trust anyone. I have had some very sad thoughts about my life."
Ahmed was initially charged with one count of fraud by false representation, but the Crown Prosecution Service changed this to the more serious charge of a conspiracy to commit fraud.