Kent Police have issued a fraud alert to residents in Sittingbourne and Faversham following 13 reports of phone scams in just two days, with criminals posing as police officers in a bid to steal large sums of money.
The fraud attempts occurred between Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29, when victims received phone calls from scammers claiming there was criminal activity linked to their bank accounts. The fraudsters instructed the victims to withdraw large amounts of cash, which would then be collected by a courier under the pretense of assisting a police investigation.
One Victim Loses £7,000
While most of the targets recognised the calls as fraudulent, one elderly victim sadly handed over £7,000 in cash, and a criminal investigation is now underway to trace those responsible.
Inspector Julia Bassindale of Kent Police said:
“These criminals can be very persuasive and will often target pensioners and vulnerable people.
A real police officer will never ask for your bank details or request that you withdraw or hand over money.
If you receive such a call, the safest action is to hang up immediately and report it to Kent Police.”
Kent Police Fraud Prevention Advice
To help protect yourself and others from phone scams, Kent Police recommend:
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Ask for details and end the call if you’re unsure the caller is genuine.
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Wait at least five minutes before calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) to verify the caller’s identity.
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Never hand over money or items to anyone claiming to be a courier sent by police.
Report Suspicious Calls
Anyone with information related to these fraud attempts is urged to call the appeals line on 01795 419119, quoting reference 46/70456/25.
You can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report suspicious activity online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Kent Police continue to investigate and are working to identify the individuals behind the scam, which they believe may be part of a wider fraud network targeting vulnerable residents in Swale and beyond.
