Detectives from Gwent Police are urging the public to remind loved ones that the police will never call asking for money.
Gwent police have reported that they are investigating a number of scams where fraudsters have claimed to be police officers, in order to obtain money from their victims.
One victim, from Monmouthshire, was 89 years old.
He had £6,000 stolen from him earlier this month by fraudsters claiming to be from ‘Luton Police’. They told him they were working on an ‘undercover’ investigation and that they needed the victim’s help to catch the criminals.
He was then told that a police officer would collect the cash to ‘keep safe’; however, this was another fraudster.
The force has said that this is a national courier fraud scam, where victims are told not to tell family members or the bank, due to them helping as part of the ‘undercover investigation.’
The fraudsters may ask victims to call 999 or 101 to check that the officers are legitimate; however, the criminal keeps the line open, and therefore the call is answered by one of their accomplices.
Detective Superintendent Nick Wilkie, lead for fraud at Gwent Police, said:
“I cannot stress enough how sophisticated and well-rehearsed these scammers are. Our message is clear – the police, government agencies or banks will never ask you to disclose personal information, bank details or demand payments.
“I would urge all residents to share this message and raise awareness of this scam in particular with elderly relatives or more vulnerable members of the community.
“Officers have been working with local banks and the local authority to raise awareness of this scam and to report any suspicious activity.
“If you receive any calls of this nature – they are a scam- please hang up and call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
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