Police are issuing a warning to people living in Gloucester that they are being targeted for “courier fraud” scams.
Local residents are telephoned by fraudsters purporting to be police officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary and the Metropolitan police. These have included male and female callers who gave their names as “DC Martin RILEY”, “DC Adam GARDINER” and “DC Sarah EVANS”. The victims are being told that they are required to assist a covert police investigation, and instructed to withdraw cash and purchase foreign currency, gold, jewellery, and iPhones. Victims are told that these items are needed for the secret investigation and they are instructed by the fraudsters to travel to various locations around the city; where the items are handed over to a “police courier”.
Gloucestershire Constabulary have received seven courier fraud reports so far this month, all targeting residents in Gloucester. One victim lost £40,000 over the course of several days before realising it was a scam.
Advice for protecting against scams:
- Neither police nor bank officials will ever ask you to withdraw money from your account, purchase anything or hand over your personal details or passwords.
- If you believe you are being targeted by a scammer hang up the phone and use a different phone line to call Action Fraud or the police, as scammers have a way to stay on the line and will pretend to be the police when you call back.
- If you don’t have access to a different phone line, wait for a period of time and try calling a family member or friend first to make sure the scammer is no longer on the line.
- Just because someone knows basic details about you like your address or date of birth, it doesn’t mean they are genuine bank or police employees.
- Always question suspicious phone calls and report them to Action Fraud or the police.
If you think you or someone you know has been defrauded, you can report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040
Although all these offences have happened in the Gloucester area the fraudsters could target Cheltenham or any other part of the county next.
Please pass this information on to as many friends and neighbours that you can, especially if they are vulnerable or live alone.
If you would like to start a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area and receive regular and up-to-date crime messages for your area please reply to this message or call Bob Lloyd on 01452 752086 for further information.
Message Sent By
Bob Lloyd (Police, Neighbourhood Watch Officer, Gloucestershire)