Mother tricked by scammer's ransom demands for son

The 69-year-old woman was told to pay up or her son would be harmed

A town's residents have been warned to be on the look out for suspicious calls after a woman was "held to ransom by cold and calculating scammers".

The 69-year-old transferred £1,000 to the criminals on Wednesday after they called her threatening to harm her son if the sum was not sent, Cheshire Police said.

PC Matthew Jennings said the scammers "created a sense of panic" that made the woman, from Latchford in Warrington, feel as if she had no option.

“Those who commit courier fraud can be very convincing, but there are several ways to prevent fraud," he said.

The force has publicised details of the incident to share tips about how elderly or vulnerable people can protected themselves against such swindles.

They include not providing personal or financial information to someone you do not know, hanging up on suspicious callers, and not withdrawing large sums of cash based on instructions from those claims to be the police or a bank.

'Shocking'

PC Jennings urged people to share the advice with any "elderly or vulnerable family members or friends to ensure they don’t become victims themselves".

The woman received a text from an unknown number, claiming to her son and stating the he was in trouble and need cash.

Next, a different number called in which scammers demanded she transfer the cash or her son would be harmed, despite the fact he was in no danger.

PC Jennings said this is a "shocking incident" in which scammers tricked the woman who thought she was ensuring the safety of her son.