Charge after man had £16k stolen by fake police officer

The victim, in his 80s, had the money taken from him at his home in Riverside, Cardiff

A man has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud after an elderly man had £16,000 stolen out of his hands on his doorstep by someone pretending to be a police officer.

The victim, in his 80s, had the money taken from him at his home in Riverside, Cardiff, on 3 September, South Wales Police said.

A second similar incident involving a 78-year-old man from St Mellons, also in Cardiff, was also reported.

A 20-year-old man appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

He has been held in custody ahead of a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court next month.

Det Supt Tom Moore from South Wales Police urged people to remain vigilant to fraud, to look out for vulnerable relatives and to report incidents to police.

"Genuine police will never send a courier to your home to collect cash, bank cards, or any other valuable goods," he said.