Couple Jailed for Scotland-Wide Fraud Scheme

Derek Moore, 42, and Julie Ann McQuade, 31, have been sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison for a sophisticated fraud scheme that deceived elderly and vulnerable individuals out of over £250,000 across Scotland. Moore received 13 years and six months for impersonating police officers and committing fraud, theft, and illegal possession of firearms, while McQuade was sentenced to two years and six months for her involvement in the scam. The fraud involved phone calls where the duo posed as bank fraud investigators, extracting sensitive information from victims to access their bank accounts. The court highlighted the cruel nature of their actions, particularly targeting vulnerable people. The scam, which took place from August 2021 to February 2022, spanned multiple regions including Ayrshire and East Lothian. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams, emphasizing the importance of verifying callers' identities before sharing personal information.