Elderly fall victim to bogus police officer

A series of telephone frauds have been committed in the county but police are warning that anyone could fall victim.

The calls have involved the man advising people that their bank card or bank account has been comprised and that the person should withdraw funds from the relevant account.

He has then gone on to say that the person should transfer money into a ‘safe account’ or that they should withdraw money from their account which should be handed to a ‘police officer’ for checking.

The man then says that the money will need to be checked for fingerprinting by a ‘police officer’ who then attends the victim’s address and takes their money.

Some of the victims – mainly aged in their seventies and eighties - have handed over money or transferred it into a fraudulent bank account, being scammed out of thousands of pounds.

DC Will Hogan from Preston CID said: “These are despicable crimes against vulnerable, elderly victims.He has been extremely plausible, providing a supposed name and police collar number, both of which are false.

“ I am reminding people to be vigilant and if you get this type of phone call, report it to the police, your bank and/ or your bank before transferring any money into another account or agreeing to hand any of your cash over.”

Anybody with information can contact police on 101.