In a shocking case of exploitation, Elliot Shaw, a 34-year-old man, has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for defrauding an 88-year-old pensioner suffering from dementia. Shaw carried out minor garden work at the victim’s home address, charging exorbitant fees for substandard services.
The fraudulent scheme unfolded over several months in 2022, during which Shaw performed tasks such as removing a greenhouse, painting window frames, and trimming bushes. Despite the poor quality of his work, he demanded payments ranging from £500 to £3,000 each time.
The scam came to light when a vigilant bank staff member noticed irregularities in the victim’s transactions. Investigative checks revealed that the money paid by the elderly man directly matched incoming payments to Shaw’s bank account. Between July and December, Shaw siphoned a staggering £42,000 from the vulnerable victim.
PC Emily Carnan, who led the investigation, condemned Shaw’s actions as “despicable” and “targeted.” She highlighted how Shaw took advantage of the victim’s memory loss due to dementia, repeatedly extracting money without remorse. His lack of empathy for the elderly man’s plight is evident in his relentless pursuit of financial gain.
PC Carnan urged anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to fraud to report it promptly. Victims can contact Action Fraud online at Reporting fraud and Cyber Crime | Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm).
