Man posing as charity worker jailed for fraud

A fraudster who targeted two vulnerable men and took over £18,000 of their money has been jailed today, Wednesday 4 December.

William Redmond, 33, of Walton Breck Road, Liverpool, appeared via video link at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for two counts of fraud by false representation. Indefinite restraining orders have been put in place to protect both victims.

In September 2023, a bank alerted the police of a potential fraud and that they believed the perpetrator was still in the building.

Realising he had been caught, Redmond tried to escape but was stopped by a member of the public before being arrested by police.

He was recalled to prison for an outstanding sentence while police continued their investigations.

It was discovered that Redmond had been defrauding a vulnerable man over a period of a year before the bank became aware of the fraud. He had originally told the victim that he was working for the chairty Marie Curie, and then fabricated other reasons why he needed more money.

The victim, who felt pressured and intimidated, was visited by the fraudster several times a day, and often during the night where he was made to attend cash points where he withdrew more than £10,000.

Redmond once again tried to attend the victim’s address within days of being released from prison in February 2024.

In April 2024, a second person reported that Redmond had been visiting their home requesting money, again fraudulently acting as a charity collector.

The elderly victim was told to withdraw cash from his bank account several times during the day and night over a period of a month, until eventually he gave Redmond over £8,000.

Redmond was charged with fraud by false representation in May 2024.

Detective Constable Alexandra Lindley said: “Targeting vulnerable people in their own homes and scamming them out of their savings is truly unacceptable.

“Redmond took advantage of the two victims who believed they were helping a charitable cause, when in fact they were feeding Redmond’s greed.

“Fraud has a profound impact on victims, not only financially but also emotionally. I hope today’s result gives the community reassurance that he can no longer target vulnerable residents.”