Two men from Brent, London, received suspended sentences after defrauding small businesses of thousands during a card-machine scam. Abdullah Said-Ahmed, 29, and Tahir Mohammed, 30, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud, having targeted several establishments around Bristol’s Cabot Circus between February and March 2019.
Another accomplice, Omar Said-Baker, 30, also from Brent, admitted to similar charges but did not appear in court for sentencing, prompting the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
The fraud was uncovered when Avon and Somerset Police apprehended the men on the M4 highway, where they discovered the trio traveling in a car with false number plates. A search revealed expensive clothing and multiple credit and debit cards, four of which belonged to Said-Baker.
The group misled shop workers by claiming they needed to enter their PIN into card terminals while paying. Instead of entering a PIN, they authorized refunds to various bank accounts. CCTV footage later showed one man distracting shop staff during the transactions.
Said-Ahmed received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work. Mohammed was sentenced to 23 months, also suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.
Detective Sergeant Louise Sinclair from Avon and Somerset Police stated, “These three men brazenly stole thousands from small shops and cafés.” She emphasized the need for vigilance among shop workers and reassured business owners that the police would hold perpetrators accountable.
