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Scam Alert - Elderly Man Loses Thousands In Courier Fraud Scam
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Officers in South Yorkshire Police's fraud co-ordination team are urging
residents to beware of courier fraudsters targeting vulnerable victims
in our area, with one elderly man losing some £6,000.
Courier fraud is a scam where offenders phone victims and claim to be
from a bank, the police or another official authority, and convince the
victim that they need their help to gather evidence and solve a fraud case.
The victims may then hand over 'evidence' in the form of their bank
cards, cash and/or other high value goods to a courier who is sent to
their home.
DC Tim Bell, from the force's fraud co-ordination team, said: "Action
Fraud has made us aware of a number of courier fraud incidents in
Barnsley and Sheffield over the last few days, including six in the same
day yesterday (Tuesday 10 November).
"Courier fraudsters are extremely cruel - they pose as officials and
then betray their victims' trust in a nasty scheme to steal their money
or expensive items.
"In one recent incident, an elderly gentleman lost £6,000 after
receiving a call from somebody who claimed to be a DS Brown from the
Paddington fraud squad. This fake police officer told the victim their
bank account had been used fraudulently and he needed the victim's help
to investigate the bank.
"The victim withdrew £6,000 from his bank account and, when he got home,
gave the serial numbers of the notes to the fraudster. The victim was
told the notes were counterfeit and needed to be collected by an
officer. A few hours later, a man turned up at the victim's home and
collected the money.
"Of course, this was all a horrible trick and the offender has got away
with £6,000 in cash."
Before police were called, the same victim had also gone to a watch
specialist and tried to buy two Rolex watches totalling £25,000.
Luckily, the staff suspected something wasn't right and raised the alarm.
In other recent scams, a 75-year-old woman was told she owed £2,000 in
unpaid tax and had to make repayments using Amazon vouchers. The
offenders sent a taxi to collect her and take her to the shop to buy the
vouchers.
DC Bell added: "I'd urge anyone who has elderly or vulnerable relatives
or loved ones to check up on them and make sure they know not to fall
for it if they are contacted themselves.
"If you think you are on the phone to a fraudster, hang up the phone
straightaway and then call back your bank, or the police, on a trusted
number using a different phone line or mobile. If you can't do that,
wait at least 30 minutes before using the same phone, in case the
fraudster is still on the line."
Reports of courier fraud should be made to Action Fraud on 0330 123 2040
or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk. <http://www.actionfraud.police.uk.>
If somebody is present at your address to collect money, bank cards or
other items, call 999 and quote Operation Radium Mike.
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Yorkshire)
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