A gang of conmen who stole more than �68,000 from elderly residents in Redbridge has been jailed for a total of 14 years.

Six pensioners in the borough, three in Ilford and three in South Woodford, were telephoned by the group which posed as police officers investigating bank account fraud.

They asked for account details �before turning up at their properties in “plain clothes” to collect bank cards.

They claimed they needed to be run through a machine at Scotland Yard to catch those responsible and asked victims to put cards in a sealed envelope with the PIN.

A fake crime reference number was provided and gang �members told them not to speak to anyone because it would “jeopardise the investigation”.

The cards were used in retail �outlets and in betting shops.

The gang conned �120,000 from pensioners in total, across six London boroughs.

Det Insp Chris Krelle said: “These cowardly offences were being �committed against the most frail and �vulnerable people in our communities.

“The successful conclusion of �Operation Ferres has seen the �dismantling of an organised crime group which have been deemed so serious the majority of those �convicted received custodial offences.”

On Thursday 10 people appeared at Basildon Crown Court, including Ilford men Suhayb Patel and Uwais Patel, both of Pembroke Road, who were jailed for 15 and 18 months �respectively for conspiracy to �defraud.

Nadeem Ismail of Betchworth Road was sentenced to 14 months for the same offence.

People who had been a victim of this type of crime should report the �offence.

“It’s important for everyone to �remember that your bank would be the first organisation to contact you if they suspect you are a victim of credit card fraud.

“Any police officer who calls at an address would always be in possession of a warrant card.”