Elderly couple lose 'significant' amount of money to scam

The Dorset couple, aged in their 70s, were first targeted by fraudsters back in August, when a man claiming to be from the Metropolitan Police called their landline saying he had arrested someone in possession of bank cards belonging to the couple.

The caller, pretending to be a detective, then repeatedly rang the couple and advised that their bank accounts and funds were at risk.

He suggested they transfer their savings into a secure account set up by the police to keep it safe.

Following repeated warnings, the victims were so concerned for their finances that they agreed for more and more of their money to be transferred to the account created by the bogus detective.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, from Dorset Police, said: "This was a sophisticated scam where the offender has manipulated his victims and gained the trust of the couple by posing as a police officer and used a number of methods to try and persuade them he was genuine. This is another example of the lengths scammers will go to cheat honest people out of their money and the ruthless way they exploit their victims."

In late October, the couple were told they would be visited by the fraudster the following Monday, who would arrange for all their money to be returned to their account. After trying to contact him on the day, the victims received no response.

Wayne added: "The police will never ask you to transfer money to another account, and if you have any doubts about someone’s validity, take their details, ring the organisation back through a listed number and ask to speak to that individual."

He also urged anyone with information about this incident, or who believes they may have been the target of a similar scam, to contact the police force.

Visit www.dorset.police.uk for more advice in fraud prevention.

For information or concerns about a possible scam, contact the police via their website, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.