Police urge public to be vigilant after £6,000 stolen in courier fraud

Police urge public to be vigilant after £6,000 stolen in courier fraud

We’re warning people to check on vulnerable family members and neighbours after an elderly woman in Cheltenham was conned out of £6,000 last week.

The woman, who is in her 80s, was called by the scammers, who claimed they were police officers from the Met investigating a criminal transaction.

Officers believe other people in the county could now be targeted and are reminding family and friends to keep an eye on elderly and vulnerable loved ones.

In the latest scam, which took place earlier this month, the victim was told to withdraw money from her bank account before the scammers arranged to pick it up through a 'courier'.

It followed a similar pattern to other fraud attempts around the UK, in which fraudsters claim to be police officers investigating corrupt staff at the victim's bank or fraudulent card activity.

They will often ask the victim to hang up and dial 999 to confirm they are speaking to a legitimate police officer. However, this is part of the scam as the phone line is kept open and the victim ends up talking to another fraudster who is also involved in the con.

In this type of scam victims are asked to withdraw cash, which would then be collected by a fake police courier on the victim's doorstep, at another agreed location, or asked to send it to an address via post. Others are instructed to transfer funds into a fake police bank account.

The fraudsters are manipulative, and victims are often told to not tell their friends or family about them "helping" with the investigation.

If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Report Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back

If you don't have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time, at least 10 minutes, and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line

Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords

Just because someone knows basic details about you like your name, address or date of birth, it doesn't mean they are genuine bank or police employees

Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Report Fraud or the police.

For further advice on keeping yourself safe from fraud, visit the Constabulary's website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/

Fraud cases can be reported to Report Fraud online: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/. Anyone who finds themselves in immediate danger should call 999.

Victims of fraud looking for help can find more information on Victim Support's website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/fraud/

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
External Communications