A group of fraudsters have been jailed after stealing £74,000 from a retired nuclear physicist.
Klaudiusz Majewski, 49, was part of a criminal network that targeted vulnerable individuals through computer fraud.
The victim, Leopold Reeves, had his life savings raided after criminals gained remote access to his computer.
Majewski fled Britain after being charged in 2018 but was tracked down and returned to face justice earlier this year.
Klaudiusz Majewski was part of a criminal network that targeted vulnerable individuals through computer fraud
CITY OF LONDON POLICE
He appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, where he received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for multiple fraud-related offences.
The scheme saw pensioner Reeves, who had worked at Sizewell B and Dungeness A power stations during his physics career, lose his retirement savings to the organised crime group.
The scam began when Reeves received a telephone call from someone claiming to be a National Crime Agency officer.
The caller told him his computer was being used for money laundering activities.
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CITY OF LONDON POLICE
Reeves explained: “The man said they needed my help to identify the offenders.
“Once I logged on to my computer, they installed software which took over the device. I never doubted them for a minute. I just accepted it because I grew up law-abiding and trusting the police.”
After gaining control of his computer, the criminals manipulated Reeves into accessing his online banking.
They then directed him to visit local bank branches to make transfers to accounts he was told had been established in his name.
Dinesh Alavala was jailed for two-and-a-half years for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering
CITY OF LONDON POLICE
The fraudsters provided fake receipts and documentation for Reeves to print and present at the banks as proof of account ownership.
Three other members of the fraud ring had already been brought to justice.
Avinash Kakumanu from Newham received a three-year prison sentence, whilst Dinesh Alavala, also from Newham, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
Ranjit Nellikondi from Rotherham was given a two-year suspended sentence for money laundering.
City of London Police confirmed that most of the stolen funds were eventually recovered and returned to Reeves
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Majewski, of Wolsey Avenue, East Ham, admitted to possessing identity documents with intent and possessing articles for use in fraud.
Police revealed he supplied the others with fraudulently opened bank accounts, whilst the call centre operation was run from India.
City of London Police confirmed that most of the stolen funds were eventually recovered and returned to Reeves, though he died before Majewski’s capture.
Detective Inspector Michael O’Sullivan said: “The victim in this case has unfortunately passed away, but we did not give up in our relentless pursuit of justice. Majewski will now answer for his crimes.”