A fraudster who targeted elderly victims across the country before using their stolen bank details to buy thousands of pounds worth of gold, watches and jewellery has been jailed following a Northamptonshire Police investigation.

Ryan Whelan, aged 28, of Butts Road, Coventry, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at Northampton Crown Court.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said Whelan carried out a sophisticated fraud between April 2024 and February 2025, targeting elderly victims by posing as a representative of a telephone company. He would persuade victims to make payments over the phone, during which they disclosed sensitive banking information including card and CVV details.

Police said Whelan then used the stolen details to contact jewellers and other businesses across England and purchase high-value items including gold and watches. The goods were delivered to addresses linked to him or collected in person before being sold on.

At least 10 businesses and numerous elderly victims were affected, with businesses suffering losses of more than £66,000 through chargebacks after the fraudulent transactions were discovered, police added.

Northamptonshire Police's Economic Crime Unit launched an investigation which detectives said linked Whelan to the offences through phone records, delivery addresses, CCTV, witness evidence and a mobile phone seized following his arrest.

Investigators also linked calls to victims and businesses with mobile phones used by Whelan during the offending period.

Whelan appeared at Northampton Crown Court on August 17 and pleaded guilty to 32 counts of fraud by false representation, the spokesperson said.

Detective Constable Lee Meadows, of Northamptonshire Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: “This was a calculated and sustained fraud which targeted elderly and often vulnerable victims for financial gain.

“Whelan went to considerable lengths to obtain people's banking details before using that information to make fraudulent purchases worth tens of thousands of pounds.”

DC Meadows said the impact went beyond the financial losses, with victims distressed to discover their personal information had been exploited and businesses left significantly out of pocket.

He added that a “detailed investigation” had enabled officers to build a strong case demonstrating Whelan's involvement across numerous offences.