Large amount of cash handed to bogus police in Suffolk phone scam

Bogus caller victim. Library image.

A Hadleigh resident has fallen prey to a phone scam run by crooks posing as bogus police officers.

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On Thursday November 19 the resident received a call from the offenders, claiming to be London-based officers.

They told the victim there had been fraudulent activity on their cards, and instructed them to withdraw large sums of money from their account to be sent by courier to London as part of the investigation.

A password of “parcel for Warren” as given to the courier and the money handed over.

Scammers made three further attempts on Wednesday, November 26, to people in Ipswich, Polstead Heath and Hadleigh, though on these occasions no money was handed over.

In the wake of the crimes, Suffolk Constabulary is reminding people how to stay safe from fraudsters and have given the following advice:

• Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details out.

• If you receive such a call leave the landline for at least five minutes to make an outside call, or use another phone. Fraudsters keep the line open and have been known to play ring tones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number.

People are also being asked to share the safety with friends, family and vulnerable people.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can also report a fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their web site.