Elderly victims lose almost £20,000 in postal scam

Postal fraud involves people mailing cash to an address given to them by scammers

Three men have been arrested after a number of people were scammed into sending thousands of pounds to fraudsters through the post.

The victims - many in their 80s - have lost almost £20,000, the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (Nerocu) said.

A 23-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of fraud after being arrested in Newcastle on Friday when police intercepted a package containing £5,000 cash.

It followed the arrests in the Durham area of two men, aged 27 and 28, on suspicion of similar offences on 13 March.

Officers seize £25,000 in cash believed to be linked to criminal activities while a further £13,000 in bank assets was frozen.

The two men have been released under investigation.

People from areas including Lancashire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Birmingham and Londonderry have lost money after being manipulated into withdrawing funds from their bank and posting it to a specified address, according to Nerocu.

Det Insp Tommy Maughan said "complex scams" were being used to dupe them, such as copying the methods of communication used by banks, HMRC, police and other reputable organisations.

"They will also put pressure on you to act quickly to avoid you asking trusted friends and family or your bank for advice," he said.

"If in doubt, speak to someone you trust, drop into your local bank, or call the number given on your official bank statement. If you're sent a link by text or email don't click it, report it."

Further advice is available on the Action Fraud website.