Police footage of Arbaaz Khan being arrested

WHEN the handcuffs went on, Arbaaz Khan played dumb – and appeared confused by the word “fraud”.

In reality, the 31-year-old knew exactly why he was being taken in for questioning.

The Met released their bodycam footage of the arrest this week after Mr Khan was found guilty of a phone scam which led to nine elderly people’s bank accounts being emptied of life savings.

It followed an undercover operation to halt a gang which convinced vulnerable residents that they needed to return their bank cards – even sending runners to their front doors. The Age UK charity said the case should be a warning over how the elderly are preyed upon by callous scammers.

On the day of his arrest, Mr Khan had sent one of the group’s runners to the home of a 101-year-old after a scam call which told them they needed to return their card.

Detectives began covert work after receiving a call from a resident in Hampstead who had been targeted – and from there began linking the same gang to other offences across London at the end of 2021 and start of the following year.

The average age of the victims was 87. Their accounts were drained after handing over their cards at their own doorsteps.

One victim said: “I felt really low after this happened. I made the mistake and now I will have to pay for it. “This money was my savings. I would encourage anyone who is the victim of a crime like this to contact the police and help prevent this happening.”

Abi Wood, the chief executive officer of Age UK London, said: “This is a terrible case of scamming older people who are so often targeted for this type of crime. In this case, the work of the Met police officers has been vital to prevent any more people becoming victims and we are pleased to see that the criminals were caught.”

She added: “Our advice to older people is to say no. Never disclose your bank details either over the phone or to someone in person who asks for it and never hand over your bank cards. If you are unsure check with your bank or someone you know before doing anything.

“For doorstep scams, keep all doors locked when answering the door as people can work together, use a chain on the door, especially if you are not expecting anyone, ask for ID and ask them to wait while you check with their organisation. “A genuine person would not mind you doing this. If you feel unsafe or pressured contact family, a friend, or the police.”

Mr Khan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week and will be sentenced on May 9.

In connection to the same cases, Bradley Goode, 23, and Hanad Mohamed, 20, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal. Mr Mohamed will be sentenced later while Mr Goode had been sentenced to a community order of 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to undergo rehabilitation.

Police commander Kevin Southworth said: “Let these results be a warning to those who target older people that they won’t get away with it.”