Hertfordshire fake police officer cons victim out of £18,500

The person, said to be "vulnerable", withdrew cash and handed it over to someone who was a scammer

A "vulnerable" person has been conned out of £18,500 by a fraudster posing as a police officer, Hertfordshire Police said.

The "courier" fraud began with a phone call from someone claiming to be investigating activity on the Borehamwood victim's bank account.

They were told to withdraw cash then hand it over to a delivery driver.

The scam was repeated twice before being investigated by Hertfordshire Police.

Det Insp Pete Hankins, from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said although it had seen a reduction in this kind of courier fraud in the past year, there was "still a significant number of residents" who were being targeted.

He added: "Police officers or bank staff would never ask for people's bank details, like a PIN, or for cash to be handed over."

Following a referral to the Financial Ombudsman, the victim was refunded in full by their bank, police said.