Fraudsters posing as police officers target Cambridgeshire residents with tweaked phone scam
Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a woman in Letchworth - Credit: Archant
Fraudsters posing as police officers have been conning Cambridgeshire residents out of valuable items, including jewellery.
Police are continuing to warn people not to fall foul of the scam, which has recently changed and has seen four attempts in the past week.
Offenders call the victim claiming to be a police officer and tell them:
• A criminal has been arrested with a substantial sum of money on them and a list of names and addresses, including yours
• A criminal has been attempting to buy goods with a cloned credit card in your name
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• Your bank is under investigation for putting fraudulent bank notes into your bank account
In the new development, the criminal claims the victim is at risk of being burgled and asks for details about high-value items.
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They then advise the victim to call their bank using a number on the back of their bank card. The victim hangs up but the caller does not and the call is not terminated.
As a result and without realising it, the victim starts talking to the fraudster again, thinking they have called their bank.
Following a conversation, the offender says he will arrange a courier to collect the items.
Since Friday there have been four attempts and two successful scams in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire. One of the victims lost thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.
Detective Sergeant Emma Compson said: “This scam is hitting Cambridgeshire and a number of other counties across the country. The fraudsters are very persuasive and are now convincing the victims to get valuable items out of the house.
“One victim didn’t realise it was a scam until it was too late and is now scared to leave the house.
“We are working closely with other police forces, banks, post offices and other partner agencies to raise awareness of the scam and remind people to be suspicious if they receive a phone call similar to this.
“You should never give any bank cards, cash or valuables to anyone at your door, even if they say they are from your bank or the police.”
To report an incident in action always call 999, if it is after the event call Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.
