Six men have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court after they posed as police officers to defraud elderly people across Northern Ireland. The gang, operating during the Covid-19 pandemic, stole over £137,000 in cash along with jewellery from victims, some of whom were in their 90s.

The court heard the frauds occurred between February 2020 and May 2021. The offenders cold-called victims, claiming they were at risk of crime, and convinced them to hand over cash, bank details or valuables for supposed safekeeping. Couriers then collected the items. In some cases, victims who became suspicious had money snatched as they returned from banks.

Ray Lee (33), of Colin Glen Green, Belfast, described as the primary organiser and actor, received five years in prison. Elijah Clifford Lee (61), with an address at HMP Maghaberry, was sentenced to 28 months as a courier. Mark Paul Millar (52), of Ventry Lane, Belfast, got 20 months. John Delaney (49), of Hazel View, Belfast, received a 12-month sentence split equally between custody and licence. Shea Reynolds (31), of Alexandra Crescent, Lurgan, was given six months for possessing criminal property. William McGinley (36), of Spruce Hill, Irvinestown, had a six-month sentence suspended for two years.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC said the victims were ordinary older people with vulnerabilities and noted the offences happened while older people were advised to shield. Many victims expressed loss of independence, distress, and fear.

Detective Chief Inspector Uel Boyd said the offenders exploited vulnerable people. He stressed that police will never ask for money, bank details or valuables over the phone, and urged anyone receiving suspicious calls to hang up and report to police on 101.

A seventh co-accused, Nicola Samantha Morgan (42), of Marguerite Court, Newcastle, had her sentencing adjourned to Wednesday as she did not appear due to ill health.