Two men due in court in relation to alleged courier fraud scams

Two men from London are due to appear in court after being charged with offences relating to alleged courier fraud scams.

The charges are linked to an ongoing investigation where people are alleged to be purporting to be police officers in order to make a gain.

The fraud investigation, which is led by the Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, has links to numerous counties.

Those charged are:

• Kawsar Ahmed, aged 23 and of Eddisbury House, Sydenham Hill Estate in Lewisham
• Mohammed Zaman Ahmed, aged 34 and of Conway House, Quex Road in Kilburn

They have both been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation, namely falsely alleging to be police officers involved in an investigation of offences in relation to bank accounts intending to make a gain, namely money, for themselves and others between 1 January and 6 April this year.

They appeared before magistrates in Cheltenham via video link on Saturday 22 May where they were remanded in custody. They are next due to appear at Gloucester Crown Court tomorrow, Friday 18 June.

In April four other men were charged with similar offences as part of this investigation. Warrants had also been executed in London and cash was seized.

Advice around courier fraud scams:

• Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords.
• If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.
• If you don't have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.
• Just because someone knows basic details about you like your address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees.
• Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.

If you think you or someone you know has been defrauded, you can report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.