Police warning as New Forest pensioner escapes losing cash to courier fraudsters who have stolen £23k across Hampshire

A New Forest pensioner was among victims targeted in six courier frauds by bogus police and bank staff across Hampshire in two weeks.

Officers are warning people to be vigilant and look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours amid the spike in reported scams.

Although the local woman, who is in her 80s, did not lose any money, a total of £23,000 was stolen across the other offences.

She received two phone calls on 4th November from someone claiming to be a Detective Constable, who said her card had been misused. But when she challenged him, he disconnected the call (crime reference: 44240480326).

Police said on Wednesday six offences had been reported since 29th October.

The largest individual sum was stolen from a man in his 70s from Winchester, who was phoned by a man claiming to be a police officer on 29th October.

Purporting to be investigating counterfeit and foreign money, he told the victim his card had been used in a fraudulent way.

Asked to withdraw cash so the “officer” could investigate if it was counterfeit, he withdrew a total of £10,000 which was collected from his home. (44240471644).

On 2nd November, a man in his 90s from Farnborough was called by a man claiming to be a police officer investigating a suspicious financial transaction on his account.

He was told to transfer £6,000 to an account as a test so “the officers” could check everything on his account was in order. He transferred the sum to the scammer’s account (44240477820).

Another bogus police call, to a woman in her 80s from the Winchester area on 2nd November, resulted in £4,000 being lost.

She withdrew the cash, which was collected from her home, after the scammer told her they were investigating a suspicious financial transaction on her account and needed to check if the cash was counterfeit (44240477189).

On 4th November, a man in his 80s from Alton was rung by someone claiming to be from his bank, who said his card had been used in a fraudulent way.

Told that someone from the bank would come to his house to collect his card the following day, the victim handed over his card and PIN number. He later noticed £3,000 had been spent on his card (44240480454).

The same day, a man in his 90s from Southampton was phoned by a man claiming to be a police officer, who said the same thing about his card.

He was asked to cooperate with the “investigation” by withdrawing cash; however, he realised it was a scam and no money was handed over (44240480643).

In the wake of these offences, police are reminding people that neither they nor banks would ever contact them in such a way. They would also never send couriers to collect cash from homes.

Police are urging people to not engage with these type of calls.

DC Michael Dumbleton, from the economic crime unit, said: “These fraudsters are heartless individuals who prey on some of the most vulnerable people living in our area.

“Victims of courier fraud can be any age, but are typically in their 70s, 80s and 90s. I urge anyone who has an elderly relative to make them aware of this type of fraud as soon as possible.

“These incidents can often have a huge impact on victims as they come to terms with the fact they have fallen for a scam, and the financial losses that come with it.”

He added: “We are wholly committed to investigating offences of this nature and will take steps to identify and bring those individuals responsible to justice.”

Anyone who has been, or knows someone who has been, a victim of fraud, should call Hampshire police on 101.

People should dial 999 if a crime is in progress.

For more information visit Action Fraud’s website at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.