Two Men Sentenced for Sinister Hoax 999 Calls Wasting £100,000
Two individuals have been convicted for making a series of malicious hoax 999 calls, including a fabricated claim about a baby left on railway tracks, which triggered extensive emergency responses and squandered an estimated £100,000 in public funds. Shahid Khan, aged 31, and Zaynul Shaffi, aged 44, engaged in this disturbing behavior over 78 days across 2024 and 2025, making a total of 122 calls to emergency services.
Details of the Hoax Incidents and Police Investigation
West Midlands Police described the incidents as both sickening and serious, highlighting how the men used various tactics to evade detection. They employed different mobile handsets and SIM cards while altering their accents during calls. The hoaxes involved concocting extreme scenarios, such as false reports of being shot or drowning a pregnant wife and family, leading emergency teams to rush to non-existent scenes based on fabricated details.
In one particularly alarming call in August 2024, one of the men claimed to have left a baby named "Josh" on train tracks after discovering his wife's infidelity. This report prompted a massive response, involving nearly 20 police vehicles and over 30 officers, with additional staff coordinating remotely. Authorities emphasized that such diversions of specialist units could critically delay responses to genuine emergencies, putting public safety at risk.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Outcomes
Zaynul Shaffi, residing on Barrows Road in Sparkbrook, pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance. He was sentenced to three years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, April 7. During the investigation, police uncovered messages where Shaffi boasted about operating "undetected" compared to other hoaxers and even messaged Khan about getting a helicopter deployed, with Khan requesting a video of the event.
Shahid Khan, of Whichford Grove in Bordesley Green, was deemed unfit to stand trial, but a jury determined that he committed the acts as charged. His sentencing is scheduled for a later date. Senior police officers have reiterated that hoax calls have severe real-world consequences, including potential imprisonment, as they waste crucial resources and endanger lives by hindering emergency responses.
