‘Ruthless pair got what they deserve’

with the investigation as bank staff were suspected and the notes would have their fingerprints on them.

Couriers would then attend to collect the money from victims before the fraudsters disappeared.

There were 97 complainants in all, but not all the attempts were successful. A total of £131,150 was ripped off in the first conspiracy and £90,280 in the second.

Miah had four previous convictions for 10 crimes, while Bokanga had 10 for 14.

Victims spoke of how scared they were when contacted by the plotters, losing their life-savings and their ‘shame at having been duped.’

The judge who jailed the gang said they “preyed on the trust elderly people had in the police”.

They were “entirely motivated by greed” and their crimes were “ruthlessly executed”. Miah and Bokanga argued that their jail terms were too tough and should be cut.

But Judge Cutts, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Ms Justice Russell, said that “multiple vulnerable people suffered greatly”.

The Crown Court judge was “wellplaced to decide Miah’s role in each conspiracy”, she added.

“We do not consider the sentence to have been manifestly excessive. It was in our view just and proportionate.”

Bokanga’s sentence also “properly reflected his role”, said the judge. “It cannot be said to be manifestly excessive.”

The two men were entirely motivated by greed.