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Jeevan Bathula, 28, is now in prison for his involvement in a ‘call centre’ scam targeting vulnerable people across the country
A fraudster from County Durham who stole over £50,000 has been jailed, with his elderly victims now getting justice. Jeevan Bathula, 28, is now in prison for his involvement in a ‘call centre’ scam targeting vulnerable people across the country.
Detectives from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) put the criminal behind bars in an operation looking into Postal Courier fraud. The call centre used in the criminal network, based outside of the UK, would telephone victims claiming to be from their bank’s fraud team, telling them their savings were at risk.
Victims would then be asked to withdraw various amounts of money from either their bank or a currency exchange kiosk, and send them to an address in Durham, where Bathula would count and check the amount of money was correct, and then launder it via bank transfers and physical dispersals.
One of his elderly victims has spoken out, saying: “I was so stressed. I felt so stupid as to what I’d done. I didn’t think I was such a person to be that gullible, it has taught me a lesson and deeply affected me.”
When the police operation was launched, a tip off from the City of London Police informed NEROCU that a victim had sent a parcel to Bathula’s address, and this had been intercepted at the Royal Mail Depot. Officers then arrested Bathula at his home address on Churchill Square in Durham on Wednesday, March 12.
Searches of the address found £16,790 in cash and a further £13,000 in his account, which were both seized, and officers also discovered letters from vulnerable victims and packaging from previous parcels. His mobile phone was seized, revealing numerous videos of him counting the money on camera and giving a thumbs up.
Jeevan Bathula was charged with concealing and converting criminal property and was remanded to prison. He pleaded guilty and appeared at Durham Crown Court on September 26, where he was sentenced to 18 months in jail and given a deportation order, meaning he can never return to the UK.
NEROCU Detective Sergeant James Woodcock, in charge of the case, said: “This has been the result of dedicated work by everyone involved and it wouldn’t have been possible without some fantastic partnership working.
“This case involved having to obtain evidence from victims across the UK in a very short space of time and I want to thank the Economic Crime Teams who helped us achieve that. Bathula at every turn has tried to minimise his role and involvement in the fraud however, the evidence from his phones has helped us build a strong case.
“Without cash couriers this fraud type would struggle to operate, so for those that believe their role is any less criminal by just collecting victim’s money and parcels, today’s result is a clear sign that you will be located, charged, and be put before a court.
“Courier Fraud and Postal Courier Fraud is a national issue, and offenders typically target elderly or vulnerable people and purport to be from a trusted institution such as a bank or the police. They prey on people’s trust and exploit it for illicit gains.
“We urge the public to speak to elderly relatives and explain the dangers of fraud. Remember no bank or police officer will contact you to withdraw money from your account.”
If you think a phone call could be a scam, hang up, wait a few minutes, and call your bank’s Fraud Team by dialling 159. To report fraud, contact police or visit the Action Fraud website here.
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