Chesterfield fraud victim launches petition demanding tougher punishments for criminals who target elderly and vulnerable

Adrian Rimington, of Horsley Close, lost £6,500 when he became a victim of so-called ‘courier fraud’ earlier this year.

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Now, he has set up an online petition demanding tougher punishments for those who prey on the vulnerable and elderly.

Disability rights campaigner Adrian, 63, said: “The perpetrators telephoned me and said they worked for the Metropolitan Police.

“They said I needed to withdraw £6,500 from my bank which would be used as evidence as part of an investigation into a crime.

“They sounded very convincing – so I withdrew the money and someone came to collect it.

“I later read an article about courier fraud in the Derbyshire Times and that’s when I realised I’d been a victim of it so I informed the police.”

Adrian said officers were successful in finding the person who collected his money and he expects them to appear in court next year.

He is currently trying to recoup the money he lost.

Adrian said: “Part of me doesn’t feel stupid for becoming a victim because they were so clever.

“I’m pretty savvy but they came across as very genuine and talked about police procedure.

“On another level, I’m fuming about this horrendous crime – which is why I’ve set up the petition.

“Crimes targeting elderly and vulnerable people are shockingly high – an older person becomes a victim of fraud every 40 seconds.

“I want Parliament to make it law that minimum and maximum sentences for crimes against the vulnerable and elderly are increased, sending a clear message to criminals.”

If Adrian’s petition – which can be signed at https://bit.ly/34eO5GX – gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a debate in Parliament.

A Derbyshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “The police will never contact you asking for banking information or request that you withdraw money from an account to aid an investigation.

“If you, or someone you know, receives a call of this nature please contact us as soon as possible.

“We will then assess the area that is being targeted, alert the banks and endeavour to protect other local residents to prevent any financial loss.”

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