Four charged over fake police officer scam

Cumbria Police said one victim had been told to transfer thousands of pounds to someone pretending to be a police officer

Four people have been charged over a scam in which fraudsters posing as police officers told dozens of people to send them money.

Three men, aged 19, 28 and 39, and a 23-year-old woman were charged with conspiracy to steal. The 19-year-old was also charged with having a shotgun without certificate.

They were due to appear at North and West Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Friday.

All four remain in custody.

Cumbria Police said in the past fortnight it had received more than a dozen reports of people pretending to be police officers and requesting money.

Det Insp Lee Brumpton, from Cumberland CID, said: "I would also like to remind our communities to still remain vigilant to these phone calls and continue to share advice with family and friends, so they are aware of this recent scam within our community."