'Courier fraud' warning after victims lose thousands

Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster calls victims claiming to be a police officer or bank official

Police have issued a warning about phone scams after a woman in her 80s lost more than £9,000 to a fraudster claiming to be a police officer.

The caller told the victim her husband had been arrested and then demanded the money, Leicestershire Police said.

Officers said three similar reports had been made over the last week and urged people to remain vigilant.

Nicole McIntyre, from the force's economic crime unit, said so-called courier fraudsters "try to prey on the elderly and vulnerable" and officers would never contact people asking them to withdraw money.

On this occasion, the victim from Anstey was contacted by someone who pretended to be a police officer from Hammersmith.

The caller claimed the person they had in custody, the victim's husband, was using their bank cards, and asked her to withdraw cash from her bank accounts which would then be collected later in the week.

She was also told not to tell anyone about the call as it could jeopardise their investigation.

Police said the victim withdrew £9,400 which was collected from her home on Friday.

'Please hang up'

Leicestershire Police said the incident was an example of "courier fraud", which is when a fraudster calls a victim and claims to be a police officer or bank official and claims their bank card has been used fraudulently.

Ms McIntyre said the caller often sounds plausible and may confirm the victim's name and address and basic information which can be easily obtained.

The caller then arranges for a "courier" to collect the card from the victim's home and uses it to make purchases or withdraw money.

Ms McIntyre: "If you get a call like this, please hang up. If you need to contact your bank following a call, please try to use a different line as fraudsters can stay on the line even after you have hung up.

"I'd encourage our communities to speak to one another to ensure no-one falls victim to such a crime. Please speak to anyone you know who is elderly or vulnerable to ensure they are aware too."

The incident in Anstey was one of three courier fraud cases reported to Leicestershire Police in the space of four days.

Another victim in her 80s, from Oakham, was called by someone who claimed to be a police officer on Thursday.

The caller said they were checking fraudulent notes as part of a large scam case, and asked her to withdraw €10,000 in cash.

The victim was advised by the caller to claim she was travelling to Ireland to see family if she was questioned by the banking staff and not to inform them of his call.

Police said she had visited a bank and withdrew the cash which was then collected from her home address.

The same day, a woman in her 90s, also living in Oakham, received a phone call from an officer claiming he was from Sunderland Police.

He informed that victim her granddaughter had been arrested.

The victim refused to believe that and disconnected the call before any details were taken, so no money was taken from her account.

Police have urged for anyone who received a similar call to get in touch.