A DESPICABLE fraudster who duped vulnerable and elderly people out of £250,000 in a Scotland-wide scam after posing as a bank fraud investigator was jailed for 13 and a half years today.
Derek Moore also impersonated a police officer to get his hands on two shotguns which were lawfully held by one of the victims of the bank scam he perpetrated against pensioners.
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A judge told Moore, 42, at the High Court in Edinburgh: “The frauds which you perpetrated on elderly and vulnerable people were particularly cruel.”
Victims were persuaded that frauds were being carried out at bank branches and Moore was an investigator.
In some cases, their bank cards were taken from them.
Lord Young said: “This was a highly sophisticated operation which involved significant levels of planning and deception.”
More than £280,000 was obtained or attempted to be obtained in the scam which occurred between August 2021 and February 2022 and took place in Ayrshire, Dundee, Renfrewshire, East Lothian and Shetland.
Moore, formerly of Rutherglen, near Glasgow, earlier admitted five charges of fraud committed while acting with others.
He also admitted two charges of illegal possession of shotguns and a further offence of being concerned in the supply of heroin.
He took possession of two of the guns masquerading as a police officer after it was discovered one of the fraud victims legally owned the weapons.
It was done under the pretence that he was a police constable and had the authority to seize the firearms.
Police recovered heroin worth almost £2000 and a further firearm at Moore’s flat on February 18, 2022.
Moore’s former girlfriend Julie McQuade, 31, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, was jailed for 30 months after she took part in the fraud against a woman on Shetland.
The pair originally stood trial at Ayr Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty during the proceedings.
The sheriff, who can impose a maximum term of five years’ imprisonment, sent the case to the High Court because of its greater sentencing powers.
Detective Inspector Ross Black who led the enquiry said: “Moore and McQuade targeted the elderly and vulnerable members of our communities, and it is right that they will now face the consequence of their despicable actions.
“We want to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to be aware of scams and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim.
“These scams are not always easy to spot and anyone can be fooled. These criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations, and the police.
“Often they have details about a person they shouldn’t convincing people they are legitimate.
“If in doubt hang up and contact the bank using the phone number on the back of your card or official paperwork.
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“If the caller is genuine, they will understand your hesitation, don’t feel pressured to handing over details or withdrawing money.”
Anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to a scam is asked to contact 101.
