A MAN who posed as a private investigator to con a pensioner out of his £200,000 life savings has been jailed.
Patrick Doran, 35, of Haymaker Close, Uxbridge was today sentenced to two years and four months for fraud.
Detectives who led the investigation into Doran described his actions as ‘heinous and despicable’.
Over the space of four months, Doran was one of a number of individuals who defrauded the vulnerable 74-year-old from Bootle, Merseyside of his life savings.
Doran initially targeted the victim by saying he was a private investigator working with a judge from Manchester, telling the victim he was investigating fraud.
He invited the victim to assist with his investigation, asking for his bank details and to write a number of cheques.
Online and mobile banking was set up on the victim's account without his knowledge and money was transferred to a number of people throughout the Midlands and South of England.
Between February 22, 2017 and 26 June 2017, Doran managed to defraud the victim of £200,000.
'Absolutely shattering'
Doran however was arrested by detectives from the Economic Crime Team on August 8.
Detective Inspector Graeme Towndrow said he found it hard to believe someone would stoop so low as to target a pensioner.
"Doran won the trust of his victim and ruthlessly exploited that trust by taking large sums of money,” he said.
“It's hard to believe that anyone would stoop so low as to try and defraud elderly people out of money.
"This was a heinous and despicable crime targeting a vulnerable man in his seventies, who has now lost his life's savings.
"It can be absolutely shattering for victims, who may be elderly or have health issues which render them particularly vulnerable or who are naturally trusting, to fall victim in such a way."
Anyone who is concerned that they may be a victim of this type of crime can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
If you’re suspicious, or think you have been a victim of a scam, call the Action Fraud helpline on 0300 123 2040.
See More: Featured, Fraud, Merseyside
