Man Jailed for Fraud After Impersonating South Yorkshire Police Officer

A man from London has been sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison after scamming elderly residents in Brinsworth and Whiston out of thousands of pounds in cash and jewellery

Michael Smith, 26, of Lady Somerset Road in Camden, was jailed for two years and eight months at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, 21 May, after admitting to two counts of conspiracy to defraud.

The court heard that on 22 June 2023, Smith travelled from London to Rotherham as part of a courier fraud scheme. In a calculated scam, victims were first contacted by a man falsely claiming to be a South Yorkshire Police officer, who instructed them to hand over valuable items to Smith “for safekeeping.”

Smith, impersonating a police officer, first targeted an elderly couple in their 80s on Fernleigh Drive, Brinsworth where he obtained their bank cards and PIN numbers. He then visited a 64-year-old woman on Cotswold Crescent, Whiston, stealing jewellery worth £25,000 using the same deceitful tactic.

Following the offences, Smith returned to London and used the stolen bank cards to withdraw thousands of pounds in cash.

A police investigation was launched, and through analysis of phone records and cooperation from London Probation Services, officers were able to link the crimes to Smith. He was arrested in London and taken in for questioning in September 2023, where he declined to answer any questions but agreed to identification procedures. He was later identified by two of his victims.

Smith was charged and initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty on 19 May 2025.

Detective Inspector Joe Hackworthy of the Financial Investigations team welcomed the sentencing and issued a warning to the public.

“I am glad that Smith will spend time behind bars for his crimes which caused unnecessary suffering for those he targeted,” he said.

“Courier fraud is a particularly destructive crime, and offenders often target the most vulnerable members of society. We remain dedicated to pursuing anyone who seeks to defraud others and we encourage people to look out for vulnerable family members and friends.

“The police will never ask a member of the public for money or bank details, either over the phone or in person. If you receive a phone call like this or have any doubts about someone visiting your home, always report it to us online or by calling 101. In an emergency, call 999.”