Canterbury Resident Scammed in Police Impersonation Call
A Canterbury man was tricked out of cash on Monday, March 21, 2022, after a scammer posing as a Watford police officer rang him. The fake cop claimed they had arrested a woman carrying a large sum of money and accused the victim of supplying her with the cash.
To clear his name, the victim was persuaded to withdraw money from his own bank account. That money was then collected by a courier the very same day.
Similar Scams Hit Broadstairs and Birchington
The conmen made more calls the following day, targeting residents in Broadstairs and Birchington. This time, victims saw through the scams and ended the calls without handing over any details. The fraudsters impersonated officers from Milton Keynes and Paddington during these calls.
Police Warn Against Courier Scam Tricks
Inspector Guy Thompson from Canterbury Community Safety Unit warned: “Be alert to any caller claiming to be police who asks you to hand over bank cards or money to a courier.”
“These scammers often stir panic by claiming there’s fraudulent activity on your account or that someone has been arrested using your cloned card. Their goal is to sound believable and convince you they are protecting your cash.”
“Police will never ask for your bank details or money over the phone. If you get a suspicious call, end it immediately.”
How to Protect Yourself From Police Courier Scams
- Never give money or items to a courier after an unsolicited call.
- If you doubt a caller’s identity, ask for their details and hang up.
- Wait five minutes, then dial 101 or 999 to verify if the call was genuine.
Report Suspicious Calls
If you have any info about these scams, contact kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="5138">Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/54019/22.
You can also report scams to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or online. For anonymous tips, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their website.
