Man charged after posing as a Police Officer to scam people

A man has been charged after an elderly man was scammed of thousands of pounds by someone pretending to be a police officer.
Last week the public was urged to be vigilant after an 80-year-old man had £16k stolen from his home in Riverside, Cardiff.

A second similar incident involving a 78-year-old man from St Mellons was reported on Monday.

Nawaf Abdullahi, 20, from Islington, London, has been charged in connection with these two incidents.
Abdullahi appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, September 11) charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

He was remanded in custody for further hearing at Cardiff Crown Court next month.

Detective Superintendent Tom Moore, from South Wales Police, said: “This investigation highlights our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from fraud.
“As always we urge people to remain vigilant, to look out for vulnerable relatives and report incidents to police.”
Genuine police will never send a courier to your home to collect cash, bank cards, or any other valuable goods.
Genuine police will never ask you to participate in an investigation that requires you to withdraw money from your bank.
Please report any incidents to police.
💻 Report online https://www.south-wales.police.uk/ro/report
📞 101
Always call 999 in an emergency.

Impersonating a Police Officer is a serious crime, punishable by up to six months in prison and/or a fine. The offence involves an act or statement made with intent to deceive that falsely suggests you are a police officer or special constable.

Here’s what to look out for if you suspect someone may be impersonating Police:

• No proper identification – refuses to show a badge or ID when asked, or shows one quickly and hides it.

• Badge looks fake – flimsy, blurry, or missing official details like a department name or badge number.

• Unmarked vehicle – uses a regular car with cheap or removable lights, no official markings, or mismatched plates.

• Improper uniform – uniform looks incomplete, mismatched, or has incorrect patches or insignia.

• Unprofessional behaviour – acts aggressively, uses threats, or seems unusually nervous or excited.

• Strange requests – asks for cash, gift cards, or personal info (like Social Security numbers) on the spot.

• No official equipment – missing standard gear like a duty belt, radio, or body camera (depending on local policy).

• Refuses to call for backup – won’t let you confirm their identity through dispatch or a supervisor.

• Pressures you not to verify – gets angry if you ask to call 911 or drive to a police station to confirm their identity.

• Odd location or timing – tries to pull you over in an unsafe area, at night, or without clear cause.