Warning after pensioner conned out of thousands by crook posing as police officer

Police have launched an investigation after a man in his 80s from Nelson was conned out of £10,000 by a group falsely claiming to be police officers and bank staff.

At 12.24pm on Friday (23rd January), police were contacted by the victim, who believed he may have been the victim of a scam.

The victim stated that at 12.30pm on 21st January he received a call from a private number with the man on the other end of the phone claiming to be an undercover police officer Sgt Martin Spencer.

This individual told the victim that his bank account had been compromised and that he twice needed to withdraw £5,000, which the victim did on two separate visits to the Post Office on 21st and 22nd of January.

An unknown man then attended the victim’s property on 22nd January to collect the cash.

Genuine police officers attended the victim’s property shortly after he contacted them and members of the gang continued to call his landline from a withheld number even whilst they were present.

Safeguarding measures have been put in place around the victim, and while no arrest has been made at this time a dedicated team of officers are working to identify and detain the offenders.

Police want to use this opportunity to remind people what courier fraud is, and how to prevent yourself from falling victim to it.

Remember the police or your bank will NEVER ask you to provide your PIN number or passwords over the phone, withdraw or transfer money or buy items to ‘aid an investigation’.

Do not hand over any item (including cash or bank cards) or information to anyone that attends your address – police and banking staff would never take bank cards or cash from you – contact the police on 999 in the event that someone comes to the property purporting to be sent from the police or the bank.

If you receive an unexpected delivery or an item is sent to your address that you have not ordered and you are contacted by a stranger to arrange collection, do not hand over the item and contact the police.

Do not agree to go into the bank, or use online banking to transfer or withdraw funds at the request of another – notify the cashier if any requests have been made of you by a third party (scammers will often tell a victim that the investigation is covert and not to disclose information)

Make sure you verify who you are talking to and do not reveal any personal details. Clear the line, and phone us on 101 from a different phone, or wait at least two minutes to contact police, or a trusted person.

If you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank on their genuine number to secure your finances.

Courier fraudsters often prey on some of the most vulnerable in our community and it can be confusing and scary to hear from them.

You can make a report on 101 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.