GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabulary has released mugshots of two 23-year-old fraudsters who received suspended sentences for conning elderly residents in the Cirencester area into handing over their bank cards.

Victims of this widescale fraud were aged between 78 and 96 and £5,610 in cash was obtained from five of them in just one week.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny told Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday, August 10 that a man claiming to be from their bank cold-called victims and told them that their bank cards needed updating.

Mr Fenny said: “The story presented by the scammer was tailored for each of the known seven victims.

"Several were told they would receive gift cards when their existing bank cards were collected by a courier and that a replacement updated card would be sent out that day.

“A supplementary phone call was made to tell the victims explaining that their new card would be delayed as it was not ready yet."

The defendants, Abdul Ajani of Burnham Road, Dagenham, and Ibrahim Rashid, of Fortrose Close, London, were arrested on July 29, 2019. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Abdul AjaniAbdul Ajani (Image: Glos Police)

The automatic number plate recognition system picked a Seat vehicle - which had already been linked to a fraudulent conspiracy - as the pair travelled to Cirencester and the police were alerted. 

Officers found evidence inside the car which linked them to the conspiracy. 

Letitia Egan, defending Ajani, said: “Ajani was working under the direction of others. 

"He was not party to how the illicit enterprise had been set up or was operated.

"He got involved because it was his desire to obtain what he thought was easy money while he was a student."

Jon Harrison, defending Rashid, said: "He was persuaded to continue with an additional financial incentive after he told those higher up the chain of command that he no longer wanted to do this. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Ibrahim RashidIbrahim Rashid (Image: Glos Police)

“He was 19 at the time and because of his naivety he was cajoled into this offending.

"He is not in the best of health as he has mobility issues.”

Both Ajani and Rashid admitted that between July 1 and July 30 in 2019 they conspired to steal bank cards and money in Gloucestershire.

The judge sentenced Ajani to a prison term of 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay a £1,000 contribution towards court costs.

Rashid was sentenced to a 15 month prison term, also suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and to pay £700 court costs.