Bogus IT firms shut down after scamming elderly

The operation was thought to be run from India and preyed on vulnerable people

Two companies that scammed pensioners out of hundreds of pounds have been shut down.

DT Care Ltd and Amolin Solution Limited targeted the elderly by claiming their computers had urgent security issues.

Tricksters then gained remote access to the devices and took payments for services never provided.

DT Care Ltd, registered in Droitwich, Worcestershire, and Amolin Solution Limited, registered in Sedlescombe, East Sussex, were wound up at the High Court in Manchester on Friday.

The Insolvency Service said they had conned elderly people after cold-calling by phone.

The victims, aged in their 70s and 80s, believed they were taking genuine calls from well-known IT companies such as Microsoft.

They were then convinced to pay hundreds of pounds for services that were not carried out.

Intimidating tactics

David Usher, a chief investigator for the Insolvency Service, said both firms were used as vehicles to defraud pensioners.

"Their tactics were thoroughly dishonest and designed to be aggressive and intimidating," he said.

"We take our responsibilities in protecting the public from financial harm very seriously."

Investigators concluded the companies had provided false details in their Companies House listings and it was thought they were actually being run from India.