A gang turned people into living targets as they withdrew large amounts of cash from their banks.

They smeared mustard and shaving foam onto their victims' clothes so they could be tracked through busy streets.

The victims, many of them elderly or vulnerable, were then followed and distracted by other gang members while their money was stolen.

The gang of five South Americans, including a 13-year-old boy, struck in Brighton and Crawley in November.

They were arrested in Brighton after being followed as part of Operation Dodd mounted by the Metropolitan Police London Crime Squad.

Two men and two women were jailed for a total of ten years yesterday after admitting conspiracy to steal as part of a “well-oiled” scam.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, will be sentenced on March 3 and will be returned to Guatemala as soon as possible.

Wilmer Cardena, 38, Genaro Martinez-Morales, 44, Bertha Rodriguez- Olmos, 48, and Maria Salguero-Gurra, 45, will be deported to their home countries after serving their sentences.