AN INMATE at Greenock prison who posed as a crime investigator to con elderly and vulnerable victims out of tens of thousands of pounds south of the border has been jailed for four years.

Paul Brown, currently locked up at HMP Gateside for similar offences dating back to 2018, pleaded guilty at Durham Crown Court last month to charges of conspiracy to commit fraud by misrepresentation and concealing criminal property, relating to some of the money made from the scheme.

Paul BrownPaul Brown (Image: Durham Constabulary)

The 27-year-old, along with co-accused Adam Rankin, from Dumbarton, and Irfan Yousaf, from Glasgow, who were both convicted following a trial, claimed to be conducting Fraud Squad inquiries into potential financial crimes.

They urged their would-be victims to transfer money into supposed “safe” accounts.

The men used "complex and manipulative tactics" to convince their victims to transfer money into other bank accounts and to leave cheques for couriers to collect.

A prosecutor said Brown, who was already under suspicion of similar activity in Scotland, acted as the “courier”, collecting both cheques, and accompanied Rankin on trips to withdraw the cash.

Adam RankinAdam Rankin (Image: Durham Constabulary)

The prosecutor said the total amount involved in the offences, including those which failed to yield money, was £60,116.

In his impact statement, one victim - who was drained of savings for him and his sister, who has learning disabilities, and for whom he has power of attorney over her affairs - said he felt “stupid and ashamed” by what happened.

He said he no longer trusts anyone on the phone and “lives on the edge” feeling under stress.

When withdrawing cash from ATMs, he said he always looks over his shoulder in case someone is watching.

Durham Crown CourtDurham Crown Court (Image: NQ)

He added that all his bank savings were emptied and the court heard that it is not thought that he has yet been reimbursed by the bank.

The victim added that he now struggles to keep his head “above water” financially, having had to take out a bank loan.

Another victim said she was left “traumatised” at being targeted and has a “mental block” about the events of July 2021.

Irfan YousafIrfan Yousaf (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Brown and Rankin were both imprisoned for four years, while Yousaf was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Judge Jo Kidd said all three took part in “acts of extreme dishonesty where vulnerable people were deliberately targeted”.

The judge said the victims have suffered “serious detrimental effects, both financially, emotionally and psychologically".

A proceeds of crime hearing will take place next year.