Man jailed for internet robbery scam (From Croydon Guardian)

Man jailed for internet robbery scam

8:31am Friday 17th October 2008

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A man has been jailed for his part in an internet scam where victims were lured to Croydon before being robbed, sometimes at gunpoint.

Sharif Abduswamad, 20, of White Horse Road, Croydon, was sentenced yesterday at Croydon Crown Court to four years and six months jail for five counts of robbery.

The robberies all took the same form - an advert was placed on the Gumtree website advertising a car for sale privately at a very low price.

On contacting the seller, the victim would be told a discounted price would be available for cash, and then set up a meeting.

On arrival, the victim would be met by one man and then lured to a secluded area, where they would be met by a group of between two and nine other men who would rob the victim of cash and other property.

The gang used weapons including handguns, knives and a baseball bat during the robberies in January.

Abduswamad was arrested after being seen leaving the scene of one of the robberies in his own car, which was later stopped by officers.

Detectives uncovered Abduswamad’s computer had been used to place the adverts on the website.

He was charged on January 30.

Police are still looking for other members of the robbery gang, who are described as black men in their 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Tim Hadfield of Croydon Robbery Squad on 020 8649 1346 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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