A “sophisticated network” of fraudsters who impersonated policemen to con people into transferring cash over the phone and laundered £500,000 were sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison on Friday.

The gang, one of whom was from Forest Gate, rang victims saying their bank accounts were being targeted by criminals and they should put their money in police accounts for protection. When the victims phoned police to verify the claims, the gang intercepted the call and repeated the lie. The victims would then put money into their accounts.

The thieves, who targetted people all over the country, tricked one man out of his £288,000 life savings. The CPS are working to recoup the fraudulent earnings.

In total seven people from east London and Surrey were prosecuted for the crime at the Central Criminal Court. Moinul Hossain, 41, of Nigel Road, Forest Gate, has been sentenced to four years in prison.