'I was mortified when scam gang took all my money'

A care worker has said she was left "mortified and heartbroken" after being conned out of thousands of pounds by a gang who committed almost 50 burglaries before scamming their victims.

Sarah Croney, 39, was at work at a care home in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, in 2023 when a burglar snuck in and stole her purse.

An accomplice then called her posing as a bank official offering to put a stop on her debit card, before obtaining enough information to drain her account.

Darren Wykes, 46, of Kempley Avenue, Coventry, and George Quinn, 58, of Ansty Road, Coventry, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit fraud and were jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday.

Ms Croney, whose money was later recovered, said she felt "stupid to have been caught out" following the burglary.

She said she had been arranging medication for residents at the care home when she was contacted by the member of the gang posing as a bank worker.

"They told me someone had tried to use my bank card in Skegness," she said.

"I panicked, ran through to see where my purse was and it wasn't there. In a moment of madness I gave them my details to put a stop on my account.

"After the call, I realised what I'd done, so I rang my bank. But they'd already taken the money from my account.

"I felt mortified and heartbroken. I was in tears and could only think they'd taken all of my money and that I wouldn't be able to pay my bills.

"It took weeks for it all to calm down."

The gang carried out 46 sneak-in burglaries across 13 counties between March 2023 and May 2024.

Its members targeted victims working in care homes, schools, GP surgeries, hospices, hotels and other hospitality venues.

Wykes was jailed on Friday for five years and four months, while Quinn was sent to prison for five years.

Two accomplices, who provided transport, were given suspended prison sentences of 21 months after also admitting conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Daniel Sutherland, 41, of Sedgemoor Road, Coventry, was also sentenced to 200 hours' unpaid work, while David Ovington, 59, of Skipton Gardens, Coventry, was also given a curfew for 12 months.

Lincolnshire Police described the men as a "highly organised criminal gang".

Det Sgt Adam Petty said the "unscrupulous fraudsters targeted hard-working people" and used "every trick in the book to deceive and manipulate" them.

Ms Croney said the incident had left her "suspicious of everyone and everything" and described it as a "big life lesson".

"I felt so stupid that I'd been caught out," she said.

"You know you're not supposed to give details out but, in that moment, you just want to get it sorted and do it. It's only afterwards you think about it, but it's too late.

"Knowing they've been convicted is pure relief. Not just for me, but for everyone else who was caught out."

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