93-Year-Old Tongham Man’s Report Helps to Finger London Criminals

Published on: 18 May, 2015
Updated on: 21 May, 2015

Seyit Yilmaz

A report from a 93-year-old Tongham man led to the conviction of two Londoners at Guildford Crown Court today.

A Surrey Police investigation resulted in two fraudsters being jailed for duping elderly victims out of their bank cards and spending more than £50,000.

Ibrahim Dankofa

Seyit Yilmaz and Ibrahim Dankofa were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court today (Monday, May 18th) having earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

Officers were first notified of the offences in January 2013 when a 76-year-old woman from Godalming reported fraudulent activity in her bank account.

On January 11 she had a phone call from someone pretending to be from her bank who asked if she had received her new cash card. Having not received a card she said no and was the next day visited by a man who exchanged her card for a counterfeit one.

The investigation widened after another victim, a 93-year-old man from Tongham reported a similar offence. The use of his card was traced to a betting shop in Dalston, London where CCTV identified Yilmaz, 43, of Hassett Road, Stratford, London and Dankofa, 50, of Oak Street, Romford, London as the offenders. The latter’s finger prints were also found on a betting slip placed using another stolen card.

The pair were arrested on May 14 2014 when search warrants were executed at their homes.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Russ Cannon said: “Seyit Yilmaz and Ibrahim Dankofa were ruthless in preying on the elderly and vulnerable to commit these heinous crimes. This was a complex investigation which after the first reported offence led to the detection of eight more victims.

“This has been extremely upsetting for the victims who have lost life savings as a result. It can be the case that such crimes are not reported as the victims are left embarrassed and ashamed at what has happened, and in other cases the scam is not realised because of the convincing nature of the offenders.

“I would ask that all members of the community help us raise awareness of these kind of offences. It is important to remember that no-one, including police officers or bank staff will ever ask for your pin number over the phone. If you have concerns about elderly and vulnerable members of society make sure you talk to them about how to stay safe.”

Both were sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Surrey police said: “If anyone has received any calls of this nature, or handed over any money or bank details, please call 101 to report, or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.” é