Six Jailed for £6m Scam Targeting Over 150 Elderly Victims

Six members of a Lancashire-based gang, led by 70-year-old David Clarkson, have been jailed for orchestrating a £6 million investment scam that targeted over 150 mainly elderly victims aged between 60 and 90. The gang used high-pressure sales tactics, befriended victims, forged documents, and impersonated insurance brokers to convince them to invest in a fake company called Sable Intl Ltd, promising high returns. Clarkson was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and perverting the course of justice, while other members received sentences ranging from suspended terms to five and a half years. Victims reported severe emotional distress, including loss of faith in humanity and difficulty coping with daily life. Police and bank staff successfully recovered more than £2 million of the stolen funds, highlighting the importance of vigilance against scams targeting vulnerable populations. The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by fraudsters exploiting the elderly for financial gain.