Residents in Kent are being urged to stay vigilant against a growing mobile phone delivery scam after two men were arrested and sentenced. Fraudsters are using stolen personal details to order mobile phones in the names of unsuspecting individuals and have them delivered by legitimate courier companies.
Typically, homeowners are confused when they receive these unexpected deliveries. Shortly after, a fraudster posing as a courier arrives, claiming there was a mistake and asking for the item to be returned. The fraudsters then sell the phones or use them in further criminal activities.
An investigation by Kent Police linked two men to seven such incidents in Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Orpington, and Bexleyheath during May and June 2021. Detectives arrested Babatunde Olaonipekun, 42, from Rochester, at a delivery address in Gillingham, where he was caught attempting another fraud. His accomplice, Afis Quadri, 44, also from Rochester, was also apprehended. Both men received suspended sentences at Maidstone Crown Court on 11 September 2024 after admitting to conspiracy to defraud.
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Smithers expressed satisfaction with the arrests but warned that such offences are widespread and often go unreported. She noted that victims frequently remain unaware until it is too late, and fraudsters sometimes reroute deliveries to neighbours to avoid suspicion.
DI Smithers highlighted that many of the fraudulently obtained phones, especially iPhones, are quickly sold abroad, complicating detection efforts. She urged anyone receiving unexpected packages or encountering suspicious individuals at their door to verify with their bank or the phone company and report any incidents to the police.
Additionally, she advises residents to monitor their bank accounts for any unusual activity, as fraudsters often attempt to set up false accounts in their victims’ names.
For more information on fraud prevention, visit the Kent Police website.