Funding to fight scams in Orkney islands
The group works in Orkney
At a glance
Police say scams have cost Orkney islanders almost £2.5m in three years.
Losses are said to range from £9.95 to £1.5m.
A group has been awarded a grant of nearly £7,500 to help spread advice.
- Published
Funding has been awarded to a group working to fight scams which are said to have cost Orkney islanders £2.5m in the last three years.
Orkney Scam Action Group was established in 2019.
It has since been made aware of alleged losses ranging from £9.95 right up to £1.5m, with £136,000 being recovered.
Now the group has been awarded a Scottish government grant of nearly £7,500 to offer advice throughout Orkney by running roadshows on 13 islands, and printing awareness material.
The partnership includes Police Scotland and trading standards.
Kirkwall-based Sgt Simon Hay, who is chairman of the group, said: "This grant will allow us to provide more advice and guidance to everyone on Orkney on how to avoid being defrauded through the many types on scams - often online or by phone - and which often target the elderly and most vulnerable members of our community."