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‘Vile’ Colombian criminal who preyed on vulnerable victims at banks to steal large amounts of cash is deported
Armet Cortes, a Colombian man convicted of targeting vulnerable people after they withdrew cash, has been deported from the UK part-way through a 44-month prison sentence. The case highlights a series of coordinated thefts in which victims were distracted after leaving banks or cashpoints.
Cortes and accomplice Willmer Guzman admitted conspiracy to steal more than £63,000 from 14 people between August and April, across north-east England, Merseyside and London. Victims included elderly people, lone women and disabled people; in one case, a woman who had withdrawn £10,000 was followed home and robbed after a gang member pretended to fall.
In short
- Armet Cortes was deported while serving a 44-month sentence.
- The gang stole more than £63,000 from 14 victims.
- Victims were targeted after withdrawing cash.
Explained simply
Cash thefts involving people who have just withdrawn money often rely on distraction, with one person drawing the victim’s attention while another takes the cash. Such schemes can involve several people working together and moving between towns or cities.
Armet Cortes and Willmer Guzman admitted taking part in a conspiracy linked to 14 victims across north-east England, Merseyside and London. The victims included older people, women on their own and disabled people.
Cortes was serving a 44-month prison sentence when he was deported from the UK. The case concerns both the coordinated thefts and the use of deportation while a prison sentence is under way.