The ‘Courier Fraud’ crime has seen elderly victims hand over thousands of pounds in cash after being told they had to cooperate with an undercover police investigation into their bank.
Fraudsters posing as cops have told victims that their bank has been issuing fake bank notes, and that as a customer, they must withdraw bank notes and hand them to a courier so that police can inspect them.
They are told they will be reimbursed, but the person who collects the cash is a thief who then flees with the money.
Nottinghamshire Police received 34 reports of courier fraud attempts over a two-week period in January, with six people losing a total of £72,900.
Retired Steve Westby of Radcliffe-on-Trent was one of those targeted by the con artists. Fortunately, he did not fall for the con, but he could see how others had.
He stated: “When you think it’s a police officer on the phone, you immediately trust them.
“It’s an ingenious ruse. I can see why so many people are duped by it.”
One couple in their 80s suffered the greatest loss after being coerced into handing over £24,000. A man claiming to be from BT initially contacted the couple, claiming he was calling due to an overdue payment. When the couple informed them that they had paid the bill, they were transferred to another person who claimed to be a detective sergeant – and the scam continued from there.
Nottinghamshire Police’s fraud protection team is now assisting victims in submitting reimbursement claims in order to recoup their losses.
Following the increase in reports, officers are urging people to share information about bogus callers with relatives, friends, and neighbours who may be vulnerable to such scams.
We really need the public to be on their guard against this scam,” said Dale Richardson, fraud protect officer for Nottinghamshire Police.
“If you know anyone who could be a victim of this type of fraud, please let them know that no legitimate police officer or bank/building society will ever call you and ask you to give them your bank details, PIN, or hand over cash to a courier.”
A cold caller posing as a police officer contacted targeted residents in Nottinghamshire.
In many of the reported cases, the phoney cop informed the individual that a bank card in their name had been discovered in the possession of a relative who had been arrested.
They also informed the person that counterfeit money was discovered on the relative, raising suspicions that the person’s bank was issuing counterfeit notes.
Victims were then persuaded to withdraw cash from their bank in order for a ‘police officer’ to come to their home and collect it as part of a phoney police investigation.
Victims were advised to hang up and dial 191 to confirm what they were told was true. However, that number is also not genuine, and it has led to victims speaking with other scammers.
Nottinghamshire Police Detective Inspector Ashley Xavier stated that the force is doing everything possible to track down those involved in the scam.
She stated: “I want to reassure the public that these cases are being investigated, and that we are providing protective services and assisting victims in filing claims to recover their losses.
We don’t want anyone to suffer the emotional effects of a major financial loss and so I urge the public to get in touch with friends and family to warn them of this scam.
“These con artists can be very elaborate, convincing, and cruel. If you suspect someone is attempting to defraud you, hang up and notify authorities immediately.
