Scam Alert: Fraudsters Pose as PSNI in Belfast Phone Hoax
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Wilson from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Economic Crime Unit is warning Belfast residents to stay sharp. Nine reports of a nasty phone scam have flooded in between Wednesday 7th December and Tuesday 13th December.
Fake Police Calls Target Elderly Belfast Residents
Fraudsters are ringing up, pretending to be officers from ‘The Police’ or ‘PSNI’—some even name-check local stations to sound legit. Their story? Claiming there’s been suspicious activity linked to the victim’s bank account.
They press for details about the victim’s money and sometimes instruct them not to tell anyone about the call. In more brazen cases, scammers demand victims leave cash bags outside their homes for “collection.”
Old Folks in the Crosshairs, But No One Has Lost Cash Yet
The trend mainly targets the over-70s, with victims aged from their mid-seventies through to their nineties. Luckily, no one has handed over any money this week, but the threat remains very real.
“It’s really important people are aware of this scam,” said Detective Chief Inspector Wilson. “This type of con resurfaced last year in Northern Ireland, resulting in four men being charged with fraud by false representation.”
Stay Safe: Spot the Scam
- Police will never ask you to hand over cash or keep calls secret.
- If you’re suspicious, hang up and contact your local PSNI station directly.
- Spread the word, especially to elderly friends and family.
Don’t fall for these crooks. Stay alert, Belfast!
