A man who posed as a police officer to steal more than £26,000 from a woman in her 90s has been jailed following an investigation by Cheshire Constabulary.
Sharmarke Ahmed, 34, contacted the elderly victim by phone in March 2025, falsely claiming to be a detective based in Chester. During the call, he warned her that criminals were operating in her area and suggested her valuables were at risk.
Ahmed convinced the pensioner to hand over her belongings for “safekeeping,” claiming an officer would be sent to collect them. The victim disclosed that she had £11,000 in cash and jewellery valued at around £16,000 at her home.
The fraudster remained on the phone with her for several hours, building trust and even setting up a “password” to make the fake officer appear legitimate. Ahmed later attended her property, provided the password, and collected the valuables.
Later that day, a concerned friend of the victim contacted police, triggering an investigation. Officers traced the phone number used in the scam to an address in Brixton, south London.
CCTV footage showed Ahmed collecting the items before travelling to Chester Bus Station and boarding a coach back to London. He was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on April 1.
Ahmed appeared at Chester Crown Court on October 23, where he was sentenced to 28 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of handling stolen goods.
Police have reiterated warnings for the public—particularly elderly residents—to remain vigilant, stressing that genuine police officers will never ask for cash or valuables to be handed over for safekeeping.
