Zimbabwean man based in the UK jailed for £490,000 bank fraud

A Suffolk man has been jailed for nearly five years after stealing more than £490,000 from bank customers by impersonating them over the phone.

Blessing Mudzinge, 41, was sentenced to four years and nine months at Ipswich Crown Court following an investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist police team funded by the banking industry.

Mudzinge carried out the sophisticated fraud by calling banks and pretending to be genuine customers, tricking staff into giving him access to accounts. Once inside, he siphoned funds into mule accounts under his control.

During the investigation, police seized Mudzinge's mobile phone, which contained details of victims' accounts and the mule accounts he used. Forensic voice analysis also proved that he was behind the fraudulent calls.

All victims were fully reimbursed by their banks. However, Mudzinge now faces confiscation proceedings to recover stolen funds, as well as a Serious Crime Prevention Order to restrict his ability to reoffend.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Curtis of the DCPCU said the case demonstrated how fraudsters exploit trust:
"Mudzinge used exploitation and deceit to steal from thousands of people of their hard-earned cash. Thanks to the work of DCPCU and the banks, Mudzinge's criminal antics were stopped and the victims were reunited with their money. This sentencing should act as a clear message. We will do everything possible to stop fraudsters plaguing our society and bring them to justice for their crimes."