Six men who masqueraded as police officers to defraud members of the public have been sentenced at Belfast Crown Court for conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, money laundering and possessing criminal property.

The gang, aged between 31 and 61, operated between January 2020 and May 2021. Posing as police, they contacted people—predominantly older victims—claiming the targets were at risk of crime and needed to hand over cash, bank details or jewellery for supposed safekeeping.

Investigators said around £190,000 in cash and jewellery worth approximately £15,000 were stolen from victims in the Belfast, Antrim and Down areas.

Those sentenced were: Ray Lee, 33, Belfast, 5 years' imprisonment; Elijah Lee, 61, Belfast, 28 months' imprisonment; Mark Paul Millar, 52, of no fixed abode, 20 months' imprisonment; John Joseph Delaney, 49, Belfast, six months' imprisonment and six months on licence; William McGinley, 37, Irvinestown, six months' imprisonment suspended for two years; and Shea Reynolds, 31, Belfast, six months' imprisonment. Detective Chief Inspector Uel Boyd said the offenders exploited vulnerable people and that the investigation was complex and lengthy. He added that the Police Service will use every available resource to bring offenders to justice and protect communities from harm, urging anyone who receives a suspicious call to report it.

He stressed the Police Service will never ask for money, bank details or valuables over the phone. Anyone receiving such a request should hang up immediately and contact police on 101.

Advice for staying safe:

- Stop — Before transferring money or sharing personal details with anyone you don’t know. Genuine callers will never rush you.

- Check — Verify who you are dealing with using a trusted source. If in doubt, do not transfer money or goods.

- Report — If you’ve been targeted, report it to police online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or by calling 101, and to Action Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040. You can also forward scam texts to 7726.

Further guidance is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni and on the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.