Five Zimbabwean nationals were sentenced at Durham Crown Court for their roles in a calculated credit card fraud operation that targeted rural homes across County Durham and Yorkshire in 2018. The scheme, which relied on intercepting personal mail to steal identities, resulted in more than £165,000 in fraudulent gains.
The individuals—Tendai Dlamini (41), Gray Gwewo (26), Raphael Munemo (33), Vincent Zhanje-Zwouche (31), and Tacu Ndhlovu (27)—were found to have participated in a network that specialized in “interception fraud.” They would steal credit cards, bank statements, and PIN codes from unsuspecting residents’ mailboxes and use the information to obtain new credit in the victims’ names.
While the key ringleaders of the wider fraud ring were sentenced to prison in earlier proceedings, the five men sentenced in November 2024 received suspended sentences, along with mandatory community service and probation. The court considered their secondary roles in the operation and limited personal benefit, though all were found to have contributed knowingly to the scheme.
Judge Elizabeth Ward, in her remarks, noted the enduring harm inflicted on victims, who suffered emotional stress and financial complications. “This was not a one-time offense. It was systematic, deliberate, and targeted vulnerable residents in isolated areas,” she said.
The case underscores growing concerns around postal fraud in the UK, particularly in rural regions where unsecured mailboxes are easy targets. Authorities are urging residents to monitor their credit reports and report any suspicious activity to Action Fraud.
