Two Birmingham thieves have been sentenced to prison for scamming vulnerable pensioners out of £25,000 using sophisticated technology. Tariq Sharif and Kai Schneider traveled over 100 miles to South Wales, where they targeted elderly individuals withdrawing money from cash machines. The duo used a technique involving the manipulation of electronic devices to swallow the victims’ bank cards, ultimately stealing thousands of pounds from their accounts.
The first victim, an 80-year-old man suffering from early-stage dementia, fell prey to the scam at a Sainsbury’s in Bridgend. Sharif stood next to the elderly man at the cash machine, wearing a surgical mask and a baseball cap to disguise his identity. He convinced the vulnerable individual that the machine was not working and that he should cancel the transaction. Sharif then leaned over the victim and began pressing buttons on the machine, using his electronic device to force it to swallow the bank card. In total, £500 was taken from the man’s account, causing him distress and loss of confidence.
Another victim, a 71-year-old woman, also lost £500 in the scam. The traumatic experience has left her fearful of using cash machines and constantly looking over her shoulder. The thieves targeted multiple individuals, stealing hundreds and thousands of pounds from their bank accounts. One woman lost a staggering £22,000, money she had been saving for her daughter’s wedding.
Sharif and Schneider were arrested and charged by South Wales Police with multiple offences of fraud and theft. They pleaded guilty to all charges, and during the court proceedings, their defence lawyers highlighted their early guilty pleas as a mitigating factor. Sharif expressed genuine remorse for his actions, while Schneider, described as a vulnerable person with a tragic background, had a long break in his offending prior to this crime spree.
In Swansea Crown Court, Recorder Simon Hughes sentenced Sharif to 28 months in prison, while Schneider received a 20-month prison sentence. Both will serve half of their sentences in custody, with the remainder on licence.
These convictions serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of the elderly and the importance of remaining vigilant when using cash machines. It is crucial to be cautious of anyone who approaches while making transactions and to report any suspicious activity to the bank or the police. The impact of these scams on the victims is significant, causing not only financial loss but also emotional distress. Authorities and banking institutions must continue working together to educate and protect vulnerable individuals against such fraudulent schemes.
