Arnaldo Katalay, 24, from Billericay, Essex, has been sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after defrauding three Pembrokeshire households of tens of thousands of pounds in a gold scam.
Katalay travelled to West Wales to collect cash and gold from victims he deceived into believing they were assisting police and banks in exposing corruption. In truth, the scam forced victims to purchase gold, which the perpetrators then kept.
The first victim, a pensioner, received repeated phone calls from a man claiming to be Detective Chief Inspector Paul Stewart of Paddington Police. The caller warned her that a female suspect had attempted to use her bank card to buy a washing machine.
Police house-to-house checks soon uncovered two more victims, a couple who had also been pressured into buying gold. Although police intercepted one gold delivery and arranged a refund, the financial damage had already been done.
Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Ritchie commented on the impact of the scam: “We’re pleased to have secured the evidence to convict Katalay and to have supported the victims who have come forward. We’re talking about people tricked into handing over life savings, so their confidence has taken a huge hit.”
He added, “It is cruel and completely unfair but I hope they can get over this. Some or all of their money has been returned, but the damage to their confidence is immeasurable.”
Katalay’s crimes were part of a wave of over 80 calls reporting similar scams in Pembrokeshire during that period.
DCI Ritchie warned the public: “Police would never ask the public to purchase gold or valuables, nor hand over cash to couriers. If you have concerns, contact police on 101 or, in an emergency, 999.”
Katalay pleaded guilty in January 2023. On 2nd March, he was sentenced to seven months in prison, suspended for two years, plus 150 hours of unpaid work.
The conviction followed collaboration between the Criminal Investigation Department, the economic crime unit, and other agencies, proving that Katalay profited by £88,000 in just one month in Pembrokeshire.
Originally published by UKNIP.
