Scam Alert in Kirklees: Tricksters posing as cops target locals for cash
Fake Police Phones Kirklees Victims
Police in Kirklees are sounding the alarm after scammers pretended to be officers to extort money. The West Yorkshire Police Economic Crime Unit is probing two “courier fraud” cases from July in the Kirklees Rural area, where crooks called victims, claiming their bank details were compromised, pushing them to hand over cash “to aid an investigation.”
How the Scam Works – Dirty Tricks Exposed
- Scammers give fake police badge and crime reference numbers to sound legit.
- Victims are told to hang up and call 999 to verify – but the crooks stay on the line, intercepting the call.
- In both cases, conmen later showed up in plain clothes, claiming to be undercover cops to collect the money.
What Police Say – Don’t Fall for It
DS Paul Hutchinson of the Economic Crime Unit warned, “Officers will never ask you to withdraw cash, buy valuables, or send someone to collect your bank cards or money. We will never ask for your PIN or personal details.”
He added: “If you get a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Wait a few minutes, then dial 101 or your bank using a different phone to verify.”
Description of Suspect on the Loose
In one incident, the bogus “officer” was a slim man in his 20s, about 5’6″, with short afro hair. He wore a black jacket with a collar, red and white lanyard, black tracksuit bottoms, and dark trainers.
Be Alert – Report Scam Calls
If you spot similar scams or have been targeted, contact West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit on 101 or via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. Quote crime number 13230421915.
